GayDadsUSA

What will become of our kids?

Like James, I was on this summer's 'R Family cruise to Canada.  (We saw each other several times very briefly throughout the week, generally as we were rushing from one thing to the next.)  One afternoon, sitting by the kiddie pool, surrounded by so many wonderful parents catching a few rays, reading books and keeping an eye (or two) out for offspring, the thought occurred to me that our children with change the world.  As they mature and become adults, they will become the youth equivalent of P-FLAG.  I've always maintained that the P-FLAG moms are our best allies....the proverbial mama bear looking after her young who won't tolerate the b.s. from ANY QUARTER.  Our kids will be the former cub, now all grown up, looking out for the interests of the gray-haired bent-over parent bears.  (Ok....maybe, I'm carrying this comparison too far.)  Anyway, I know from watching our kids that they will make the world a better place for gay folk into the future.  I hope that they will also share concerns for other disadvantaged persons too.  That would be my prayer for all of those lovely kids I met last week.......

Identity loss.....

Last Thursday, after I'd dropped Maria off at school, I was walking back to the car.  I had managed to get her to school with 3 minutes to spare......a rarity for us.  (I'm sure that this is another universal for parents.....the AM rush....)  Anyway, one of her classmates was walking toward class when she turned to me and said 'Hi, Maria!', meaning, of course, Maria's dad.  The following morning, she got it right, adding the 'dad' part. 

It occurred to me after this incident that I'd experienced another parenting universal.  We all become JUST so-and-so's parent.  Frankly, I was thrilled.  Having worked so hard to become a parent, this seemed to be the epitome of parenting.  Losing oneself for the sake of the child.  It encompasses all of the selflessness that goes along with the gift of parenting.

Then it occurred to me how much of a contrast this was to much of the rest of the gay male community.  Here, individuality is prized....or attempts are made at that.  I really wonder if this is true, when EVERYONE strives to wear the BEST brand of designer clothing and have the SAME tattoos and piercings. 

Overall, I'm struck by how apart I am from the rest of gay male society.....and I wouldn't have it any other way.....

Hello...

This is my FIRST blog post.  I've often thought about developing a blog but thought 'Who would be interested in my hum-drum life of work, school, childcare, laundry, the gym, etc?  So, in case anyone is actually listening, here goes.....