You all know that being a parent is a series of interesting, fun and sometimes really weird adventures. Not only do you have to fend off advice from EVERYBODY on how to raise your child, you also need to keep them safe and clean and happy.
It’s a brilliant job and certainly my favourite in my long work history. My daughter is nearly two-and-a-half years old and more and more of her amazing and incredibly stubborn little personality is revealed every day. This is a privilege to witness. Watching the moment my little human suddenly realises that she can affect her environment in ways she never could before is an hilarious and often very challenging experience.
However, one of the most interesting journeys I’ve gone on as a parent has been my role as a ‘gay parent’. Yeah, you read that right. According to some people, being a gay parent is totally different from being a ‘straight’ parent. Add to the situation that I’m not my daughter’s birth mother and you have a really crazy combination of ‘real life’ that makes some people seemingly go out of their minds and say some really stupid things as a result.
My general rule is to treat ignorance with patience and compassion. I honestly think it’s the right way to go when ‘schooling’ people on issues that sometimes might not make sense to them. It’s one of those traits I really hope to pass on to my daughter. Obviously though, it all gets too much sometimes and I can’t help making a few sarcastic remarks. Christ, it wouldn’t be me if there wasn’t sarcasm involved.
The majority of people are amazing. I would say that 99% of people wouldn’t even blink an eye when confronted with the awful truth that there are gays out there masquerading as parents. See, sarcasm just spills out of me like hot lava.
So here is a list of some of the questions/statements I’ve come across in the two- and-a-half years I’ve been a parent.
1. On playing games with my daughter
‘You’re the fun parent – just like a dad’.
No. I’m her mum. We do fun things but no matter how you look at it, I’m ‘just like a mum’ BECAUSE I AM HER MUM.
2. On grandparents
‘Do your parents accept your daughter as their real grandchild?’.
My answer to this one varies largely on my mood. I am bursting to say ‘no they don’t and we have a separate Christmas and Easter because we’re all so ashamed’.
Top Comments
Wow! A parent is a parent. Their love that they have for their child does not change on was gender they associate with or who they are married to. We all need to stand up to this sort of thing because honestly it is a form of discrimination and bullying! @SpeakUAgainst
Wow. I...WOW.
This is right up there on the stupid-o-meter with "he/she's autistic? Oh my god, how horrible! Can they even talk?"
or
"So, who's the girl/man in the relationship?"
I understand that such questions arise from ignorant curiosity, but people really should take the time to consider what they are about to ask and how it's going to sound... -_-