A mom at preschool was admiring my daughter's short hair the other day. She complimented the adorable style and turned to her own preschooler -- a girl with shoulder length hair -- to encourage her to get the same cut. "It's so cute and so easy and comfortable," the mom said. "Don't you want to cut your hair into a pixie cut like that?" Her daughter resisted a bit. "Yes, it is all that," I told her. "But are you prepared for it?" I think I genuinely shocked them with my brief warning. My daughter wanted short hair. We were encouraging and the kids' salon we use has a stylist who … [Read more...]
Couple’s Gender Role Reversal Creates ‘ZagZig Parenting’ Book
We write a lot about breaking gender roles when it comes to parenting. Now we talk about it, too. Joining us on the Modern Dads Podcast are Kori Reed and Mike Becker, husband and wife and co-authors of the book, ZagZig Parenting: (Mis)Adventures of a Career-Driven Mom and a Stay-at-Home Dad. ZagZig Parenting, released this week, takes you on a journey through the married couple’s contemporary perspective on being a mom and dad when the traditional parenting roles are reversed. Using comical vignettes, they share their differences, struggles, mistakes and failures in ZagZig. They even … [Read more...]
Being a Dad Amplifies Isolation of At-Home Parenting
We all want our day in equality court. But I have lived a sheltered life away from the judgment of societal norms, so I had no idea my first experience requiring it would come as stay-at-home dad when I was shunned at the playground … by moms. It was a brisk morning for April in Texas. I arrived at the local playground and felt a sobering chill go down my spine. Per usual, I was putting on an impressive dad-ing display when two, seemingly innocuous, moms approached. My kids jumped out of their skin at the sight of other children to play with and darted to greet them. I helped my children … [Read more...]
Trans Father Discusses Efforts at Acceptance with Other Parents
Robbie Samuels, co-organizer of our Boston Dads Group, talks about his experience as a transgender dad and his ongoing efforts to network with other parents on the latest edition of the Modern Dads Podcast.
Samuels, a professional speaker, also discusses his appreciation for the adjustments that people and organizations are making to encourage acceptance of all types of parents, trans and otherwise.
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Women’s March Divides by Gender, Still Unites Family
Our mother-daughter and father-son split Saturday morning was one of necessity. We had to solve for multiple events happening at the same time. Mama and daughter were up early that day of the Women’s March, packing snacks and deciding what to wear. Mama had furiously knit three of the famous “pussyhats” out of pink yarn — for friends and for my daughter. She’s now making three more for friends as far away as England while my daughter continues proudly wearing hers to school all week. As they left the house for the train station that morning, my son was putting on his Cub Scout uniform … [Read more...]