Five-day-old parents
my wife and I
are 5 day old parents
our minds are fried
deep fried
deep fried in baby wee
and battered in baby vomit
sleep is soiled
by endless nappies
tears and
cries of exasperation
pierce the house
both his
and ours
we fret
we fray
we fumble with the ceaseless stress of
feeding well
feeding right
feeding day
feeding night
but
no matter what
he’s 9 pounds of cute
he's our beautiful bundle of boy
he holds our hearts
in his tiny little fists
in a grip that will last a lifetime
“A gender-equal society would be one where the word ‘gender’ does not exist: where everyone can be themselves.”*
I’ve always been aware of gender conditioning and actively tried to combat any lingering prejudices or stereotypes in my own parenting, even down to encouraging dolls with my boys when they were little. It’s great to read people writing about gender issues they’re experiencing with their kids. For too long these subjects have been discouraged or silenced. I’d love to publish some more creative writing on this topic, especially if you are struggling with a child who actively tries to move away from gender normative preferences. A society where everyone can be themselves – thanks Gloria for those aspirational words.
* Gloria Steinem