Queer as Moms
Meri Perra blogs about the challenges she and her partner face in trying to raise their girls with feminist values
Today after work my partner will go in search of pink hair dye. She wants me to take the time to buy a new dress, like there is something wrong with worn out yoga pants. (There is a lot wrong with worn out yoga pants.) “It’s only once a year,” she tells me when I squawk: “No time! No time!”
Dyke Day is anon, and she wants our family to look good. (And she tells me, have fun.) Half of our family will. Guaranteed. The kids always look great. Hopefully we’ll all have fun.
The kids will be in super hero/fairy princess hats and pink capes. They’ll wave rainbow flags, and both will likely sing: “When I get older, I will be stronger …” on heart-breaking adorable repeat. We’re considering being dykes with tykes on bikes this year. Definitely, once we get there, we’ll search for friends and wonder why we didn’t consider a meet-up spot. Read more...
With Kidlet in Kenya
Joanna Goldberg sends communiqués from Kenya, where she’s living with her kid
When I first told my family I was seriously thinking of volunteering for a year abroad, they questioned why I’d do such a thing now, when my daughter Cameron was likely too young to remember any of it. What Cameron might or might not gain from the year away wasn’t something I had thought about in depth, as my decision to volunteer was largely a selfish one. It was something I needed to do for myself, an experience I hoped would help shift my career, bend my perspectives, expand my confidence and validate that I could fulfill my own dreams despite being a single mom with a small kid. Read more...
make it!
Catherine Romano blogs about crafty projects for kids and parents
This is my little boy’s first Canada Day in Toronto and to mark the occassion, I thought we could create a piece of art that reflects his favourite things in this city. So, on a recent morning walk, I asked him to point out all all the things he likes most. The list was surprisingly simple: trees, flowers, the lake, tall buildings, and the very large Canadian flag in Coronation Park along the waterfront.
When we got home, I quickly created cut-outs of his favourite things. This is what we made.
Materials:
- Construction paper
- Scissors
- White glue
Process:
1. Cut out all of your objects
2. At the very bottom of the cut-out, crease the paper to make a small flap
3. Apply glue to the flap, and attach to a large sheet of construction paper. The cut out should pop-up immediately.
4. Continue process with all elements until landscape is created. Read more...
News and Culture Five
What we’re reading today:
1. If we tell little girls they’re pretty, will they start to think that their appearance is the most important thing?
2. Should you raise your kids to be nerdy? CNN’s LZ Granderson says society places too much importance on athletics and people are taught to look down on the smart kids. Instead, Granderson says we need to take academics a little more seriously.
3. Kids between the ages of 3-5 who watch scary and/or violent TV right before bed have trouble sleeping. (So do we!)
4. Mombian is proud of LGBT parents and the kids of LGBT parents. It’s been a pretty great year for inspiring kids and stories and bringing conversation about queer families into the mainstream. Let’s keep it up! Happy Pride!
5. Candy is good for you. Kind of. Like, don’t eat Twizzlers for dinner or anything, but treats are OK. Read more...
postcards from bunchland
Celebrating Canada Day with Grandma
Today’s Postcard from Bunchland comes from Canadian in Seattle, Buzz Bishop.
News and Culture Five
What we’re reading today:
1. The Giver, one of the best young adult novels ever, might finally be put on the big screen. Jeff Bridges originally acquired the film rights to it thinking that his dad, Lloyd Bridges could play the titular role, but now that he’s in his 60s, it’s just right for him. Did anyone else read The Giver and picture Shel Silverstein?
2. Last day of school! Hurray! Kids heading off to camp soon? Here’s how to get them prepared.
3. Babies under six months are too young to get vaccines, which puts them at risks for flu and such, but pregnant women who get the vaccine reduce their babies chances of catching anything.
4. Chocolate Milk: Is it a healthy option and delicious way to get calcium, or with all that sugar is it simply “soda in drag”? Schools in Los Angeles are going with the latter. Read more...
postcards from bunchland
Backyard party
Today’s Postcard from Bunchland comes from carfreedays in Seattle.
