Category Archives: Parenting

Australia Enacts Paid Parental Leave For Dads, Gay Couples

Jessica WakemanOctober 3, 2012 //
koala baby

In America, we don’t have even have nationwide paid maternal leave. We just have the Family And Medical Leave Act, which ensures three months of unpaid job-protected leave for a new mom. Look and learn, folks, because Australia is putting us all to shame: starting in 2013, Aussies will have the Dad And Partner Leave plan, which guarantees two weeks of paid leave at minimum wage (around $630) for the father or same-sex partner after a baby is born. Australia already has paid parental leave which gives 18 weeks of paid leave at minimum wage for one parent.

Although the minimum wage aspect is not ideal for either plan, it’s so commendable that the country is helping to make it possible for parents to both be at home during those early new-baby days. Why, just look at how overwhelmed this mommy koala is at having to do all the childcare work herself! Keep reading »

People Are Not Laughing About This Picture Of A Baby Doing A Keg Stand

Ami AngelowiczSeptember 30, 2012 //
Baby Bong Pics
Mother arrested for posting pics of her baby with a bong on Facebook. Read More »
Babies In Wigs
We love this trend. 11 Photos »
Worst Mothers
Bridget Wismer
These mothers tried to sell their babies. 10 Photos »
Mini Prince
Stop it. Just, stop. Read More »
Not Funny

Arizona State University police were not laughing about this picture of what appears to be a baby doing a keg stand at an ASU tailgate party. Authorities are still unclear if the photo, which originally appeared on The Dirty, was a an act of Photoshop or a real photo-op. Investigation in progress.

I certainly hope it’s not real … and so does the mother who posted those pictures on Facebook of her baby smoking a bong. I’m sure she really regrets that. When are people going to learn what’s crossing the line when it comes to baby photos? Babies in wigs: funny. Babies pounding beer: not funny. [Buzzfeed via The Dirty]

Kids’ Parties In Florida Now Include Alligators In The Swimming Pool

Jessica WakemanSeptember 29, 2012 //
Unimpressed cat
9 things unimpressed cat is unimpressed with
Nothing is spared his unfettered scorn. Read More »
Man Jumps In Tiger Cage
tiger
A man jumped into the tiger cage the Bronx Zoo! Read More »
Scariest Looking Animals
These 12 critters creep us out, big time. 13 Photos »

Oh, Florida. A new “trend” at kids’ birthday parties in the always-entertaining state is having alligators in the swimming pool.

A company called Alligator Attractions brings juvenile alligators with their mouths taped shut over and lets them swim in the pool with the children. But don’t worry, parents — kids get a lesson on “alligator safety” first. Such as, oh, stay away from alligators? Unfortunately for Alligator Attractions, the party service is now being investigated by the state’s Fish and Wildlife Commission. Aw, rats. Keep reading »

How Do We Feel About The “Kid Shaming” Meme?

Jessica WakemanSeptember 28, 2012 //
Street Style Toddler
Aila Wang makes other street style stars look like child's play. Read More »
Toddler Fight Club
There's not hope for humanity, you guys. Read More »
Tone Deaf Singer
Listen to this little boy butcher "How To Be An American." Read More »
License Parents?
Judge Judy on "The View" photo
Judge Judy thinks parents should be licensed to procreate. Read More »
kid shaming
kid shaming

Nothing on the Internet is better than the dog shaming meme: pet owners post pictures of their pups with signs around their necks reading stuff like “I ate my own barf” and “I like to hump this cat.” I keep trying to get Amelia to submit a photo of Lucca but she insists her dog has never done anything to be ashamed of, ever. Anyway, now the meme has spread to little kids. Keep reading »

Girl Talk: I Am My Mother’s Least Favorite Child

Daisy BarringerSeptember 28, 2012 //
Worst Mothers
Bridget Wismer
These mothers tried to sell their babies. 10 Photos »
Fears From Mom
Strange fears our mothers instilled in us. Read More »
On Motherhood
Why are we treating moms like second class citizens? Read More »

When I was little, I was convinced my mother hated me. Between my two older brothers and me, I was positive I was the one she liked least. Even at a young age I could sense I was a disappointment, that I didn’t fit the stereotype of her dream daughter: sweet, demure, cooperative, loving. I was that at first, mind you. As a baby, I rarely cried or fussed. I had big blue eyes and wore smocked dresses and ruffled bloomers. It appeared that having me was worth it, I imagine she thought, despite the fact that she was separated from my father before I was even born.

“Daisy was a perfect baby,” my mother still says. “And then she turned three.” Keep reading »

Hitched: Why My Husband Is Getting A Vasectomy

Andrea GrimesSeptember 26, 2012 //
No Interest In Kids
Gloria Steinem on Chelsea Lately
Chelsea Handler and Gloria Steinem do not want kids. Read More »

I’ve been walking around with a sketch of a uterus and cervix in my reporter’s notebook for several weeks now, courtesy of my gynecologist. She drew it while explaining to me how an IUD works. I keep it around both because I like it as a conversation piece and because when you write about ladyparts as much as I do, it’s actually quite useful as a reference tool at the office or, you know, the bar. Wherever.

But what I like best about my little IUD sketch is that I don’t need it, because my husband is getting a vasectomy. When it comes to long-term contraception that isn’t sterilization, vasectomies are the bee’s infertile knees. The benefits are many: I don’t have to live with a foreign body inside me (either of biological origin or one made of copper), condom breakage isn’t a constant concern, and neither do I have to rely on hormones or head back to my doctor’s office regularly for a Depo shot. Keep reading »

The Best Father/Daughter Portraits Maybe Ever

Amelia McDonell-ParrySeptember 26, 2012 //
View the Gallery / 12 Photos »
Baby Movie Reenactments
This tot reenacts famous movie scenes! 9 Photos »

Meet Dave Engledow and his daughter Alice Bee. When Alice was born, Engledow wanted to document her life and their relationship in a unique way, so he started taking these elaborate photos with her, in which he’s depicted as the anti-World’s Best Dad. They are hilarious, sweet, and such a fantastic tribute to their relationship that Alice will be able to treasure as an adult. Check out tons more of his photos on Fotoblur and donate to his Kickstarter here.

The Soapbox: Why Choosing Your Baby’s Sex Is Gambling On Gender Stereotypes

Avital Norman NathmanSeptember 21, 2012 //
Pink Photo Project
The Pink & Blue Project photo
A fascinating photo project captures little girls and their pink toys. Read More »
I'm Doing IVF
IVF
One women's experience with IVF. Read More »
Sexist Beliefs
mother and daughter photo
Sexist beliefs are passed down more from mothers than fathers, study finds. Read More »

There are many in Western society that seem to band together anytime the subject of sex-selective abortion in foreign countries comes up. It’s a tricky topic, especially for those of us who favor unfettered abortion access. Outrage and incomprehension over aborting female fetuses in favor of males is usually the default response, with many claiming the practice is misogynistic, and rightfully pointing out the negative impact it has on many countries, specifically in Asia.

But despite our alarm and discomfort surrounding sex-selective abortion, many in Western society have no issue doing all they can to conceive a specific sex. And while pregnancy screenings to rule out female fetuses abound outside the U.S., there has recently been a surge in the number of parents looking to do exactly the opposite within this country: going to great — and expensive — lengths to ensure that their newborn is a girl. Keep reading »

Frisky Q&A: Jessica Valenti, Author Of “Why Have Kids?” Plus, Enter To Win A Kindle Fire!

Amelia McDonell-ParrySeptember 20, 2012 //
Mommy Wars Ceasefire
I want a ceasefire on the mommy wars, because it helps no one. Read More »
On Attachment Parenting
One woman's opinion about attachment parenting. Read More »
Single Mom Speaks
Rick Santorum can kiss this single, working mother's ass. Read More »

Go to the parenting section of any bookstore and there are hundreds of thousands of pages to read on how to do it and setting expectations for what the experiences should be like. Very few tackle the question of why a person, in particular a woman, should/would become a parent, and even fewer from a feminist perspective. That’s why I was so excited to read Jessica Valenti’s new book on the subject, Why Have Kids?: A New Mom Explores The Truth About Parenting And Happiness. Valenti is the founder of the feminist blog Feministing and author of a number of books, including The Purity Myth and Full Frontal Feminism, as well as a first-time mom to daughter Layla. Why Have Kids? is an incredibly well-researched look at the reality of parenting in America, in particular how having a child affects relationships, career aspirations, and financial security, using statistics, interviews with real women, and Valenti’s own experience as a guide. As someone who definitely does want kids, the book was still incredibly eye-opening, not to mention a total page-turner — I devoured it in a day! I was excited about getting to interview Valenti myself. Check out my Q&A with her — and enter to win a copy of Why Have Kids? and/or a Kindle Fire – after the jump! Keep reading »

The Soapbox: On Rupert Everett & Having Gay Parents

Suzanne TurnerSeptember 18, 2012 //
Bigotry Is "Sick"
zachary quinto in out
Actor Zachary Quinto on the persecution of gays. Read More »
I'm A Lesbian Mom
lesbian moms photo
Meet a mom who is raising a son with her female partner. Read More »
On Bigotry
Andrea Grimes on love, politics and bigotry. Read More »

The actor Rupert Everett, who is gay, believes children should have a “mother and a father.”

My father, who is also gay, shared the same beliefs. So did my gay mother. So did my gay father-in-law. So, in fact, did the Christopher Plummer character in “Beginners.”

But can it be true that there’s “[nothing] worse than being brought up by two gay dads,” as Rupert said?

Ask my husband, whose father and stepfather fully participated in raising him. Ask my children, who have three of four openly gay grandparents. Keep reading »

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