Josh Bellish of Beaverton, Ore., hit the internet shortly after the birth of his son three years ago in search of others in a similar situation to his own -- an at-home father looking for a way to combat the isolation that sometimes comes with full-time parenting. Just three years later Bellish has become a leader in two of those groups he found online: co-organizer of our 550-member Portland (PDX) Dads Group and, as of this month, the president of the nonprofit National At-Home Dad Network. That latest title is of significant note. Bellish's election a few weeks ago at the HomeDadCon … [Read more...]
“Oh, He’s a Girl.” Talking to Kids About Gender Experience, Identity
I thought about gender all day long during one period of my life. It was all-consuming. This is not how most people experience gender but for me, it kept me up at night. That’s because I’m transgender and, prior to my transition, I presented in a very gender-ambiguous way. People saw me as a man or a woman depending on many factors such as context, social roles, and the person’s own viewpoint. In my experience, gender is an interaction and not just a self-identity. Two deli clerks drove this last point home one day. While I waited at the counter for my sandwich, one clerk asked the … [Read more...]
LGBTQ Pride Through Raising Strong, Resilient ‘Queerspawn’
Author’s note: In this article, “queer” is used as an umbrella term for people with a range of genders and sexual orientations who are not cisgender, or cis -- a person whose gender identity corresponds with the sex the person had or was identified as having at birth -- or straight. In this way, a word that historically was used against LGBTQ people has been reclaimed by us. Instilling a sense of pride in our children is a responsibility many parents work to fulfill. For our family, in which my wife and I both identify as queer, that includes our children being proud of their queer trans … [Read more...]
Maverick App Co-Founder on Providing Girls with Social Positivity
Keeping your kids away from social media these days is pretty much impossible unless you lock them in a closet. In an Amish community. Somewhere in Antarctica. If your children are going to be connected, you should want them do so in a positive, creative and self-expressive environment, free from bullying and other negativity. That's what Catherine Connors, co-founder of the recently released Maverick app, is banking on. She tells us all about the app and her philosophy on the latest Modern Dads Podcast. Maverick is an online community aimed at tween and teen girls. In addition to … [Read more...]
Being a Husband to One’s Own Husband Makes for a Great Partnership
When Chris and I first got married, I was charmed and amused by the notion that I, a man-person, now had a Husband. I had a Husband while simultaneously being a Husband myself. My inner child loved it, finding it both weird and silly. That kid voice in my head actually giggled: "He's your HUSBAND? But you're both boys!" It was unusual, and extremely pleasing, to talk about my Husband, rather than my Partner. And way better than talking about my Boyfriend. I also realized how much I enjoyed hearing myself being referred to as Husband once again, in this new chapter of my … [Read more...]
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