Happy Birthday to C.J.’s Dad — the most kick-ass husband and father ever. C.J.’s Dad doesn’t get nearly enough credit for how amazing he is. Which is probably my fault because I don’t go on and on about him very often when blogging.
“Where’s this kid’s father?!” is a comment I get a lot. It’s not really a question; rather, people are inferring that if my son had a strong, positive, available role model in his life he wouldn’t be gender creative.
Well, C.J.’s Dad is right here, right beside me. And, he’s wherever C.J. needs him to be – whether it’s behind him, beside him, ahead of him or carrying him. He’s never been anywhere but where our family has needed him to be. Every wife and child should be so lucky.
I love you, baby. Happy Birthday!
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C.J.’s hair is practically a trending topic. So, here’s the story on C.J.’s hair for all of those who are interested. It’s cut short in what the majority of society would consider to be a “boy’s haircut.” Why do I have it cut that way? Because that’s how C.J. wants it.
This time last year he wanted to grow it out “like a girl.” So we did. A week before kindergarten started in September he asked to “cut it short like a boy.” So we did. This week he asked to “grow it out like a girl.” So we are. As always, we are just along for the ride. Stay tuned and send some detangler!
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Happy Valentine’s Day from C.J. and his family. He went with Monster High Valentines again this year. Be yourself, be unique, be a monster, be my Valentine.
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Raising My Rainbow has been selected as a finalist in the 2013 Parents Blog Awards in the category of “Most Likely to Inspire You to Change the World.”
Voting is super simple. Just click here and select my blog under the “Most Likely to Inspire You to Change the World” category. You can vote once a day until Feb. 24.
I would love to win this honor because Parents Magazine is one of the leading (if not the leading) parenting magazine in the U.S. and exposure to my blog would no doubt help some of their millions of readers better understand gender; consider their expectations for their child when it comes to gender, sex and sexuality; and hopefully encourage them to educate cisgender children to be more empathetic and kind towards LGBTQ children.
A special thanks to the person or people who nominated me! I’m flattered and grateful.
Raising My Rainbow 
As a former victim of the hereronormative, cisgendered society, I’m so glad to see other parents who are willing to watch their kids grow into whomever they are meant to become… And to celebrate and enjoy the journey with them. My kiddo may some day have to come out to me as straight but I know I’ll love and accept my kiddo no matter who that is.
Happy Birthday to him! You know, birthdays are my second favourite day of the year. Other than April 20 that is. I hope he had a big radical bash or something.
Anyway, you said earlier in the post this>>>
“Where’s this kid’s father?!” is a comment I get a lot. It’s not really a question; rather, people are inferring that if my son had a strong, positive, available role model in his life he wouldn’t be gender creative.
I totally believe that some people are meaning it that way, but maybe not all. Maybe some people want to see if your a single parent raising the two boys, or whatever…I don’t know. But just remember that not the entire world is against you- trust me 🙂
—Clay…
Happy Belated Birthday, Dad of the Cool Kids. You must be a whale of a father and husband to have such a great family. Rock on.l
Happy Birthday to CJ’s dad! Today my son’s dentist said to him, “Make sure I didn’t accidentally give you the princess toothbrush.” I thought of your blog and said, “He might like the princess toothbrush. You never know.” Hopefully I got the dentist to think about it.
Happy Birthday C.J.’s dad
Happy Birthday!!! He MUST be a fantastic guy. My birthday is also Feb. 15th!
Happy birthday CJ’s Dad! Thought you guys might like to see this – a little girl who has the marketing folks pegged & really knows what doesn’t matter in life – what toys or colours you like! http://www.youtube.com/user/dbarry1917/videos
I popped over to the website to vote for your blog because your blog definitely has changed my world. As I said in the link to the voting on my facebook page, your blog challenges and inpires people to think about how they act and react. I have had so many thought provoking conversations with people due to reading your blog. These conversations come from the place of my being a mom who wants the world to be a better place. I think that it is vitally important that people recognize within themselves the ways that they think and act, often unconciously, that perpetuate stereotypes and discriminate against others and their right to live their lives as their own (or to “Oprahize” it, their authentic life). Your blog isn’t about one thing as much as it is about the life of your family and what you have learned from that life. Your generosity in sharing with others is deeply appreciated.
Hope you win the honor. I have been enjoying your blog for about a year now and enjoy sharing it with my family, especially since we have a little nephew who is something like CJ. Him and I enjoy a fondness for My Little Ponies.
You all are very blessed to have each other. As much as admire great moms like CJs, I have to admit that the accepting, loving dads really move me. Especially, the type that I’ve gotten the impression CJs dad is, a guy’s guy, big, strong, into sports and all things manly. I just think at how much their perspective of the world needs to shift to be the kind of parent these kids deserve. It goes against everything my generation was taught, that boys will “learn” how to be masculine if only they have the right role models in their life. I’ve heard that my whole life but guys like this didn’t just hear it, they lived it and probably many of them took it to heart so I can imagine that as much as they love their gender creative child, at times, it must not have been easy to make that shift. If it were me, I think the most difficult part for me would be the perception that the “right” kind of role model would change my child or criticism that by accepting your child as he is, is somehow bad for him. You and CJs mom are amazing parents. So, rock on, CJs dad and have a fantastic birthday!
A very happy birthday wish to CJ’s dad!
-Connie
Happy Birthday to C.J.’s Dad he is truly amazing just like you are!! I agree that C.J. is a very lucky kid as is his brother. I voted and I am trying to vote daily!! Keeping my fingers crossed that you win!!
Happy Birthday to a great dad. I see alot of dads who seem to be too weak to let their kids be who they want to be.
hope you had a great birthday!!! and hey, hey, hey. let’s be safe out there!
One hell of a family. I wish I was a part of it.
Happy Valentine’s Day!!! Our little guy (also in kindergarten) went with Disney Fairy valentines this year (his latest obsession).
Happy birthday, CJ’s dad!
Just voted!
CJ’s dad deserves a very Happy Birthday! I think CJ has one great set of parents!
Happy Birthday, CJ’s Dad!! It’s true, you do get less pixilated blog love than some of the others in your amazing fam, but I imagine you wouldn’t have it any other way. Quietly helping and always available, is how I like to imagine you. Stay safe on the streets and thanks to both of y’all for letting the rest of us enjoy the ride along with you — electronically, at least!
Happy Birthday, CJ’s Dad! I’ve gleaned that he’s as awesome a father as you are a mother. Have a great weekend, CJ’s Family! 🙂