For anyone who wasn’t a straight, white, Christian man, 2017 was a hell of a year. Yes, our Reality Star-in-Chief made a couple of appearances on the blog — how could he not? The year also saw struggles for the trans community, convos with my kid about sex, and family game night made more tolerable by booze. It wasn’t an easy year, but it certainly was eventful. These are my 10 favorite blog posts of 2017.
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If Trump Were My Kid: 17 Bits of Fatherly Advice for the New President
Since there’s little hope of 45 behaving like a rational adult (much less, presidentially), I thought I’d appeal to Trump’s childishness with some fatherly wisdom…in the form of lunch notes. Keep in mind these were originally created for a boy between the ages of 4 and 6. Also keep in mind how scarily appropriate they are for the Leader of the Free World. Read full article
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Straight Parents vs. Gay Parents: A Comparison Study
I did a totally informal (and fake, but mostly true) comparison study between straight parents and gay parents, looking at their relationships, sex lives, movie-viewing habits, etc. My findings are compiled in the form of — what else — snark and doodles. Read full article
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My Marvelous Superhero Family
“I don’t say it often enough, but Papa, Jon, and Cordi are my heroes. Every minute of every day, they keep me grounded and inspired, humble and hopeful, stretched and strengthened. We make a great team, don’t we?” Read full article
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On Being Seven
“This year has been hard — a lot of change, and a lot of conflict. I’ve been tested as a parent and failed more often than I’d care to admit. We’ve been stretched to our limits, our home a place unrecognizable from my daydreams of what family life would be. But daydreams are not reality, and reality is sometimes bumpy and emotional and loud.” Read full article
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Make Game Night Great Again: Board Games & Cocktail Pairings!
I’ve found that a little libation makes any activity run more smoothly. Classy folks look to experts for pairings of alcohol with their cheeses, meals, or cigars. You can even find wine to go with Girl Scout cookies. So why not match up cocktails with board games? Read full article
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5 Things I Won’t Tell My Kid About Sex
“Confession time: when I was a little kid, I called my penis a ‘twinky-dinky.’ My younger brothers called theirs ‘donkey.’ I have no idea where these nonsensical monikers originated, but as God as my witness, our family will call a penis a penis and a vagina a vagina!” Read full article
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The ABCs of Trump: Words My Kid Has Learned Since 45 Took Office
“P is for PUSSY-GRABBER: If your child happens to hear this phrase, use the opportunity to remind them to be kind to animals. And to keep their hands to themselves. And that they won’t get far in life being abusive and grabby.” Read full article
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Transgender Crisis: How You Can Help
“In 2015, nineteen transgender people were murdered in the United States. The following year, that number rose to 26, an all-time high. In 2017 there have already been 26 trans people murdered, the vast majority of them women of color.” Read full article
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Is It Time to End National Coming Out Day?
“LGBTQ people will always fall into the ‘other’ category. Regardless of how many laws are passed and hearts and minds changed, there’s no reality where queer people aren’t a minority — it’s just not biologically feasible. Whether we acknowledge our otherness or not, it will always exist — no matter how much we integrate into heteronormative society. So why not take the opportunity to celebrate it?” Read full article
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BONUS VIDEO:
A huge highlight of the year was being honored (along with my other #Dads4Kesem brothers) for Philanthropic Work of the Year at the 2017 Iris Awards. Check out the video of our award being announced (and of me speaking), beginning at the 24-minute mark.
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Ginormous thanks to everyone who read, commented on and shared my words and images this past year. Your interaction makes the writing and doodling of them that much more meaningful.
Love and bear hugs to you and yours,
Brent
Designer Daddy
