I definitely didn’t see the speech so thank you. I do wonder when society will start making room for a less binary conversation about caring for children. Currently, we have parents who are the people who give birth to and house children ostensibly for the child’s entire life. This is very much a Leave It to Beaver concept of the family. Divorce, death of a parent, step parents, queer, trans and nonbinary parents, polyamorous parents, multiple people raising children in the same house, grandparents and other family as the primary parents, none of this is normalized in our political conversation around parenting (or most others about raising kids).
I love my partner’s kids. I financially support all of us. I care to check up on and advocate for their well-being. I don’t consider myself a parent but if I was a man I’d probably be anointed as the best stepdad ever long ago because the bar is in hell. But it also means that I have no socially acceptable role here not even a convenient title especially as a nonbinary person. We can do so much better to encourage this village approach by actually acknowledging the villagers and making it easier for us to have a role in kids lives. Most people don’t want to do such hard work and be told that they aren’t really helping or worse be cast in some icky savior role.
This is such an important addition to the conversation, Amy! There are so many reasons to encourage more of a village approach, including all the folks whose roles and contributions are minimized/marginalized because of the cis-het nuclear family myth.
I don't always love the politics of Saturday Night Live (hey, did you know Biden is OLD?!?!) but I do hope that one of their brilliant women cast members parodies Katie Britt tonight, because sometimes you've got to laugh to keep from crying.
This was just what I needed from two of my favorite writers and people. I so appreciate the insight of the kitchen table as a metaphor for the individualistic focus on me and my kids and my family rather than the “we” of community. And attending to that “we” is what Jesus actually modeled and (ahem) commanded us to do. But that’s a sermon for another day. Today, I’m thankful for you both!
“What pained me so much was that, of course I want to be addressed as a mother! Of course I want my motherhood to be cited as a means for revolution, or as she calls it “getting in the arena.” Yes, this! The Twisted audacity. I love what you say about interconnectedness. How to take care of all the kids weighs on my heart a lot ❤️
Couldn’t love this more obviously. I read it out loud to John. He wasn’t sure that was his favorite thing (me reading out loud for as long as you two can talk), but agreed you all are brilliant and we’re always lucky to learn from you. 🩷
Y’all are two of my faves! Thanks for watching so I didn’t have to 🤣
We’ll focus your thanks on Sarah, who I forced to watch it. Cool friend move on my part!
It’s not for the faint of heart to willingly subject yourselves to that! And most definitely a cool move!
I definitely didn’t see the speech so thank you. I do wonder when society will start making room for a less binary conversation about caring for children. Currently, we have parents who are the people who give birth to and house children ostensibly for the child’s entire life. This is very much a Leave It to Beaver concept of the family. Divorce, death of a parent, step parents, queer, trans and nonbinary parents, polyamorous parents, multiple people raising children in the same house, grandparents and other family as the primary parents, none of this is normalized in our political conversation around parenting (or most others about raising kids).
I love my partner’s kids. I financially support all of us. I care to check up on and advocate for their well-being. I don’t consider myself a parent but if I was a man I’d probably be anointed as the best stepdad ever long ago because the bar is in hell. But it also means that I have no socially acceptable role here not even a convenient title especially as a nonbinary person. We can do so much better to encourage this village approach by actually acknowledging the villagers and making it easier for us to have a role in kids lives. Most people don’t want to do such hard work and be told that they aren’t really helping or worse be cast in some icky savior role.
This is such an important addition to the conversation, Amy! There are so many reasons to encourage more of a village approach, including all the folks whose roles and contributions are minimized/marginalized because of the cis-het nuclear family myth.
I don't always love the politics of Saturday Night Live (hey, did you know Biden is OLD?!?!) but I do hope that one of their brilliant women cast members parodies Katie Britt tonight, because sometimes you've got to laugh to keep from crying.
I think you got your wish!
This was just what I needed from two of my favorite writers and people. I so appreciate the insight of the kitchen table as a metaphor for the individualistic focus on me and my kids and my family rather than the “we” of community. And attending to that “we” is what Jesus actually modeled and (ahem) commanded us to do. But that’s a sermon for another day. Today, I’m thankful for you both!
I am sooooo here for that sermon, any day :)
So well said.
appreciate it!
So hoped you'd weigh in on this, and y'all did not disappoint. Love you lots.
Thanks so much Anna!
“What pained me so much was that, of course I want to be addressed as a mother! Of course I want my motherhood to be cited as a means for revolution, or as she calls it “getting in the arena.” Yes, this! The Twisted audacity. I love what you say about interconnectedness. How to take care of all the kids weighs on my heart a lot ❤️
That line! I was like, "SARAH! AHHH!"
Couldn’t love this more obviously. I read it out loud to John. He wasn’t sure that was his favorite thing (me reading out loud for as long as you two can talk), but agreed you all are brilliant and we’re always lucky to learn from you. 🩷
FAIR
COUNTERPOINT: unfair! Who wouldn't want THIS MANY WORDS, narrated by their spouse?
Another “kitchen table”: the front porch or front yard.....with spring around the corner, outside gatherings in neighborhoods are a natural😎
Yes!!
Loved this so much!!
What a treat. Thanks to you both.
Appreciate you, Peter. And I owe you an email!
No worries/no rush, G. I know you have lots going on. Can't wait to read your book!
I wonder when we women will start "raising money" for the children and women that were raped a tortured by the Palestinians ?