Bunchland

What the cool parents are reading today:

1. Yay dangerous, risky playgrounds! Advocates for a more natural and challenging playground want to address the “increasingly sedentary and risk-averse generation of children disconnected from nature,” and so we need playgrounds with rocks and tree stumps and other things kids might fall and scrape their knees on. No, they don’t want the kids to get hurt, but they do want kids to know that they can get hurt and be aware of their surroundings.

2. Some parents actually camped out overnight for a precious spot at a good daycare the way a superfan might for concert tickets. Today’s Parent wants to know what you’ve sacrificed for daycare. Is it a vacation? A new car? A so-so daycare because the good one is just simply too cost prohibitive?

3. Why would a nine-months-pregnant woman want to do a nude photoshoot? Because she can! And she wanted a little adventure.  Read more...

Robyn Knickle shares stories from Hamilton, Ont.

I woke up this morning with a 3-year-old’s foot in my face. He had snuck in at some point throughout the night and made himself cozy. As I snuggled right into him, listening to his sweet, sleepy breathing, I glanced at the clock and noticed that we should actually have been on our way out the door at that time. We slept in! Now, you should know that I haven’t set an alarm clock in over a year, as the kids have always made sure to have me up nice and early (even on the weekends). This morning, everyone must have needed just a little extra sleep, so our usual morning routine was thrown off and, of course, chaos ensued.  Read more...

Meri Perra blogs about the challenges she and her partner face in trying to raise their girls with feminist values

When I interviewed queer parenting expert Rachel Epstein, the coordinator of the LGBTQ Parenting Network at the Sherbourne Health Centre last summer, she told me what I had always suspected. “We don’t usually hear about problems at daycare,” Epstein said.

It’s good news, and despite us being the only queer family at our day care centre, it’s been our experience as well. Back in the summer, I didn’t know we were about to lose the kindergarten wait-list gamble we choose for our four-year old. I couldn’t imagine, that after we lost, I would feel part guilt (for depriving Rosa of a JK experience) and part relief (thank you God, public school is delayed another year!)  Read more...

What we’re reading today:

1. Daycares are getting not so day. Shift-working parents need child care too!

2. A mom who always insisted on reading strong female-hero books to her girls and insisted family members compliment her daughters’ intelligence as much as their cuteness is horrified to find out her 7-year-old considers herself to be fat.

3. Now that he has a daughter, Jay-Z says he’ll never use the word “bitch” again. Um, didn’t Tracy Jordan on 30 Rock already learn this lesson? So, Jay-Z learns a lesson after Tracy Jordan?? At least he’s better than Lil Wayne. #everythingrelatesbackto30rock

4. In defense of extravagant birthday parties.

5. Kids cover Florence and the Machine. PS22 Chorus is so, so awesome.

Photo by NRK P3 via Flickr

Meri Perra blogs about the challenges she and her partner face in trying to raise their girls with feminist values

Maybe. And maybe I should also teach my kids it’s ok to talk to strangers and chase a ball onto the street. I’ll start sending them out to buy cigarettes. No, these are all bad ideas, just like queers sending their kids to Catholic school.

Let me explain.

In the past, I’ve met queer parents who’ve sent their spawn to Catholic school, and I’ve done what any other level-headed queer parent would do. I assumed they were nuts, never asked why they made their decision, and moved on.  Read more...

Ed Sundukovsky shares stories from Toronto’s West End

Coming home from work is easily the best part of my entire day. At not a second past five, I’ve already got my apron and whites off and I’m out the door with key and coat in hand. I jump into the whip and back out onto a one way street, hitting the gas and peeling out a bit. I might have looked cool, except that I’m driving a minivan. I’m in a hurry because Kris is waiting for me on the corner outside of her work. I can’t wait to see her either.

I fight my way across Wellesley, inching along while the seconds tick by. Cyclists zip by on their fixed gear bikes, laughing while they pass me easily. “Fools!” they exclaim at the cars while they fly ahead. Naturally, I hit every red light on my way, but I can make her out waiting for me off in the distance. When I pull up to her, I’m always surprised at how great she still looks after an eight hour day. She gets in and we get going.  Read more...

What we’re reading today:

1. This mom doesn’t really feel part of the mom club… except for when she’s in her minivan, she at least looks the part.

2. Having twins isn’t a unique experience these days, but it’s still pretty darn neat.

3. How to choose a daycare: trust your gut.

4. A 10-year-old won a National Geographic expedition to the Cayman Islands. Colour us jealous. Here’s his winning essay.

5. And because they’re just so plentiful, here’s another Harry Potter parody, this time doing a number from The Book of Mormon:

Photo by Etan Sivad via Flickr