Mamas & Papas

RSVP for Mamas & Papas Events Here

2010-02-22T11:47:00.001-08:00

Great News!

2010-02-10T17:51:00.001-08:00

Thank you to the San Francisco USD Board of Education for their unanimous votes to strengthen SFUSD's Anti-Discrimination program!

Support San Francisco USD Anti-Harassment Resolution

2010-02-06T11:48:00.000-08:00

(from Our Family Coalition- please forward to families you think may be interested)

Dear Families and Supporter,

We are pleased to announce that Our Family Coalition has drafted a letter of support for the Anti-Harassment Resolution introduced by San Francisco School Board Member Sandra Fewer to strengthen the anti-discrimination and anti-harassment protections in order to enhance the learning environment for SFUSD’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning students. The Resolution is scheduled to be heard by the Board of Education on February 9, 2010. The letter has been sent to the SF Board of Education.

Sandra Fewer has let us know there has been some opposition, so we are asking that your families continue to show your support. Please come out to the hearing and have your voice heard.

The meeting will be on Tuesday, February 9th, 6pm at Irving G. Breyer Board Meeting Room, 555 Franklin Street, 1st Floor, San Francisco.

We hope to see you there!

Sincerely,

Our Family Coalition Staff

If you would like more information on this resolution please contact Julia@ourfamily.org

Off and Running

2009-10-11T20:09:00.000-07:00

Hello! My name is Jolynne Holloman and I am writing to let you know about an upcoming screening of the award winning documentary film Off and Running, directed by Nicole Opper.

The film will be shown at the San Francisco Doc Fest Film Festival on Sunday, October 18th at 7pm and we would love to invite you and members of your organization to join us at our screening!

Off and Running tells the coming of age story of Avery, the adopted daughter of two Jewish lesbians struggling to connect with her African-American roots. The film follows Avery as she attempts to contact her birth mother, a choice which propels Avery into her own complicated exploration of race, identity, and family.

On a national level we have been working with Family Equality Council but we've also organized great local benefits with groups like Our Family Coalition and COLAGE. Our Family Coalition will be an official co-sponsor of the DocFest screening. Off and Running is already raising awareness about LGBT family issues on the festival circuit, and we will eventually reach an even larger audience through our national broadcast on the award-winning PBS series P.O.V. in Fall 2010.

Doc Fest is San Francisco’s premier documentary only film festival and the theatrical release of Off and Running in San Francisco in spring 2010 is contingent on the performance of the film at Doc Fest. If we do have a theatrical release in the spring it will be held in conjunction with a full week of panel discussions, workshops, and various community engagement activities that we would love for you to be a part of! Thank you for your support and we hope to hear from you soon.

best,
Jolynne Holloman

Changes to the 0-5 Mamas and Papas Group

2009-08-13T22:41:00.000-07:00

The 0-5 year old contingent of Mamas and Papas is proud to announce that our 4th Saturday of the month meeting will now be held from 10am-12 pm in the indoor play area at the Eureka Valley Recreation Center located at 100 Collingwood Street between 18th and19th Streets in San Francisco.

This group will be an informal playgroup; please come for as long or as little time as you wish. While no formal childcare is provided, the indoor space has age-appropriate toys and play equipment and we will all be able to watch over the kids while we chat. Please note: no food will be provided at this meeting.

Several people in our recent survey indicated they would prefer a more informal play group experience so we could get to know one another in a less formal basis. We hope that this format will be to everyone's liking.

So see you at Eureka Valley Rec Center on August 22nd and every 4th Saturday thereafter.

(We will still meet on the 2nd Saturday of the month at the LGBT Center for more formal, topic-based discussion. Food and childcare provided.)

(posted by Shelli)

After School Care

2009-08-13T21:54:00.000-07:00

(Posted By Grant)

I am a father of an 8 year old boy. I found out 2 weeks ago his after school care program is moving and his school will not service the new location.

Do any of you have suggestions for after school programs in the city? Is there a nanny share service or agency that will transport children from school to after school? I work full time and single so I do not have a partner that can transport him during the day and my schedule is not flexible.

He currently goes to public school at Alvarado.

Thanks for any suggestions.

Budget Cuts

2009-07-28T16:44:00.000-07:00

I just read an article in the SF Chronicle about the Governor's sweeping cuts to HIV/AIDS services, healthy families, and the child welfare department - not to mention the potential loss of 100 state parks and other cuts.

The impacts of these budget cuts will be felt by our families for years to come. No matter the make-up of your family, the effects will be real and hurtful to your or someone you love.

I am not an expert on the budget. I only know what my gut tells me - and that is that our budget is being balanced on the backs of those least able to take its weight. Is this the legacy we wish to leave for our children?

There are no easy solutions and money does not grow on trees. I inderstand that; but it still angers and worries me - as a parent, as a Queer person, as a community member. I wish I had solutions. The only solution I do know is to try to raise our child as a compassionate person who thinks as well of others as she does of herself.

(posted by Shelli)

Your Help Needed in Alameda on Monday

2009-05-15T14:07:00.000-07:00

Dear OFC Friends,

LGBTQ families of the Alameda Unified School District need your help! On Tuesday May 12th the AUSD held a public hearing on the proposed supplemental adoption of Safe Schools Curriculum Addressing Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity.

Although many from our community came out in support of the inclusive curriculum, we were outnumbered by those opposed. Because there were 175 speakers requesting to speak, a continuation hearing has been scheduled for MONDAY May 18th at Kofman Auditorium at 6:30pm. For more information on the safe schools curriculum please go tohttp://www.mikemcmahon.info/LGBTCurriculum.htm

How Can You Help?

1. Write an email letter of support to the Board of Education. For a list of email addresses go to www.alameda.k12.ca.us

2. Join the C.A.R.E community. A website in support of the curriculum called Alameda Community Alliance Resource for Education (CARE) www.alamedacare.org

3. Attend Monday May 18th 5:00pm a peaceful vigil in front of Kofman Auditorium 2200 Central Ave at Oak Street in Alameda. Wear bright tee shirts, pick a color of the rainbow and wear your rainbow ribbons! Bring your signs with positive messages!

4. Attend Monday May 18th 6:30 pm the Board of Education public hearing held in Kofman Auditorium. The PRESENCE of supporters in large numbers is critical.

Help keep ALL of our children safe!

Sincerely,

Lisa Orduno-Arcia
Community Program Director
Our Family Coalition

A family place to eat on Tuesdays

2009-05-11T15:37:00.001-07:00

-From Kevin

Family Night Reinvigorated!

"Come join Supervisor Bevan Dufty and his daughter Sidney and Kevin Wakelin and his daughter Hana at the Castro's Squat & Gobble restaurant for Family Night! This tradition is being reinvigorated so that we can keep in touch with other gay moms, dads and their kids. The only information you need to know is to join us every Tuesday evening at 600pm at Squatt & Gobble located at Market/16th Street. Please spread the word amongst all your LGBT mom's and dads. We look forward to seeing you all there, starting this Tuesday May 12, 2009 at 600pm. For more info please email kevin@VITALITY-sf.com

Handling gifts that don't reflect our values

2009-03-11T21:02:00.000-07:00

How do you handle a situation in which a casual acquaintance (who is not aware of your views regarding appropriate toys for your child) gives a gift that conflicts with your ideas regarding an appropriate toy for your child(ren)? A neighbor recently gave my twins a set of toy guns for a gift. We don’t allow toy weapons of any kind so I quietly re-packaged the gift and donated it. Fortunately, the boys are still young enough that they forgot about the gift and never noticed its absence. I’m curious if any other parents have experienced a similar situation and how did you handle it? Did you say something to the casual acquaintance or did you just let it go? Did you let the kid(s) keep it?

Thanks,

Kendall

Theater for Young People

2009-03-04T21:00:00.000-08:00

The play, "Anansi the Clever Spider" is playing at the New Conservatory Theater Center (NCTC) this week-end and next. Tickets are normally $10 for kids and $15 for adults but we found them for free on events@goldstar.com or www.goldstar.com There is actually a $3.50 or $4.50 per ticket service charge but it's still a good deal. We saw the NCTC production of "The Wizard of Oz" a few months ago and it was really fun. The cast and crew are all young people -- teenagers, I think. They are definitely not high gloss productions but they are clever and fun, the kids are talented and our 5 year old loved the production we saw (in fact, she went back the next day to see it again). It is a good group to support, too...so get your cheap tickets, then donate whatever extra you can afford when you get to the theater.

(posted by Michael)

Love and Intimacy

2009-02-20T22:18:00.000-08:00

Thanks to all who came to the second Saturday meeting. A great discussion on love and intimacy was had by all, I think. Even with most of us knowing each other, the topic still brought out the shyness in some of us so we did a small "ice breaker" activity to help the discussion get started.

This got me thinking of two things. First, how at ease I am in reality with discussing this topic with our child and second, what beliefs I want our child to associate with love and intimacy. So many of us adults have had to un-learn shame-based and conservative values when it comes to this subject. While I was lucky in that my parents did not saddle me with very much of these beliefs, I am coming to appreciate how challenging it must have been for my parents to accomplish this in a society that is so restrictive and puritanical.

When I look at Sadie who is now 3 and a half, I can't imagine her turning into a teenager and then a young woman but I know it is sure to happen and I know that her attitudes towards her body and of love and intimacy will develop based on the principles we teach her starting now. By respecting her privacy, helping her develop a positive self-esteem and body image and by answering her many, many, many (!) questions in an age-appropriate and honest way I hope that we can provide a foundation that allows her to have a healthy lifetime of love and intimacy.

I am glad to have the Mamas and Papas community to help me navigate these challenging topics in a thoughtful and constructive way.

(posted by Shelli)

Book & DVD Suggestions for parents and kids?

2009-01-28T09:26:00.000-08:00

I just attended my first Mama and Papa's group in SF and really enjoyed it.
I would like to suggest a new topic for the blog - Titles of Books and DVD
for Parents and Kids

We were all sharing books, dvd's for parenting and education of our

children and we all discussed how helpful this would be for us. It
would be great to open up this discussion as to what people would
suggest we watch.

Lori

Local Parents Website with an LGBTQ parent group

2008-12-13T17:48:00.000-08:00

I came upon your blog and wanted to share with you a great sf parent website (www.cpmcbabysteps.org) where you can let others know about all of the events you post as well as about your community groups.

There is also an online LGBTQ parent group that I think would truly benefit from your knowledge and expertise. It is free and non-profit so definitely take a look!

Sincerely,

Britt Gerhard

Program Director

CPMC BabySteps

www.cpmcbabysteps.org

Hannukah Party at the LGBT Center

2008-12-12T09:03:00.000-08:00

We invite you to join with Congregation Sha'ar Zahav and the San Francisco Jewish Federation LGBT Alliance for our 2008 “Latkes, Vodkas, and More…” event, a Jewish LGBT and friends Chanukah Party created by the Lay Leaders of both the LGBT Alliance and Congregation Sha'ar Zahav.

“Latkes, Vodkas, and More…” will be held on Thursday, December 18th at 6:30 PM at The Roof Terrace at The Charles M. Holmes LGBT Center, 1800 Market Street (@ Octavia), San Francisco.

This has been a moving and challenging year, and our collective Jewish LGBT identified community is in need of a fun and festive Chanukah celebration. In addition to live Klezmer music to greet people as they arrive, there will be an auction, and a Jewish-Tzedakah-Style-candle lighting ceremony, and queer Jewish Burlesque! Participants will be entertained by some of finest LGBT Jewish entertainers in the Bay Area.

Food will include hors d’hoerves, latkes, kosher chocolates, and jelly donuts. Soft drinks, beer, cocktails, and wine will be available for purchase. So come schmooze with us!
This is a 21+ event and tickets are available at the door. Suggested donation $18 (no one will be turned away for lack of funds). Event proceeds will support Congregation Sha'ar Zahav’s LGBTQ programming.

If you wish to take advantage of onsite FREE childcare please RSVP ASAP to shelli.fein@gmail.com.

To bid on our online acution, visit here: http://www.cmarket.com/auction/item/Browse.action?auctionId=77263068

(posted by Shelli)

Great Oakland Event..

2008-12-03T10:07:00.000-08:00

I think this is a great East Bay workshop to complement our January meetings on race...

Peralta Elementary School Presents:

Diversity-Unity Committee Workshop - December 6 - 2-4pm

Tarah Fleming of iPride and START DIALOG is coming back for another cultural competency workshop:
How to Talk to Your Kids About Race, Class, Sexual Orientation. ..and other challenging topics

With all of the current controversial topics facing the nation and the Peralta community around race, socio-economics, gay marriage and other issues, this workshop will give us tools to talk to our children about issues that challenge us.

When: Saturday, December 6, 2008

Where: Peralta Elementary School Multipurpose Room, 460 63rd street, Oakland

Time: 2-4pm

Light snacks and Childcare will be provided, so please let us know if you are coming!

RSVP required; space is limited: Diversity-Unity Co-chairs: Demarris Evans demarris@sbcglobal. net; 510.388.2832 or or Marjorie Stamper-Kurn mstamperkurn@ yahoo.com; 510.595.5884.

More free activities

2008-10-07T21:50:00.000-07:00

[ETA]I forgot to mention that Acrosports' Fun Night is rather hard to find on their website. You have to go to REGISTER and then scroll down to the very last activity in the list and you'll find it there. I had to search for awhile before I found it
Unfortunately, just after I posted about their Fun Night, I opened my mail and had an invitation to the wedding of friends at the exact same date and time, so we won't be at Fun Night on Nov.1 after all, but hopefully we'll be able to join some of you Dec. 13.

---

I wasn't sure whether to post this or just comment on Terri's earlier post on free/cheap activities for families in San Francisco, but decided it would be more likely read if a separate post.

Our 5-10 year old group met last Saturday, October 4, and had a good discussion of free and cheap family activities, among other things (we tend to also deal with pressing topics of the day, which is good). Charles made a list that I'm sure will be posted later, either by him or with Terri's future posted list, so I won't list those items here, but wanted to suggest an activity (while not free and only borderline "cheap", does provide primetime Saturday night childcare for parents with children ages 6-13).

It's Acrosports' Fun Night, which goes from 630 to as late as 10 pm one Saturday a month, the next one being November 1 and then on December 13. It costs $25 if you register 2 or more kids (of any age) on the website (acrosports.org) or $30 if no siblings, but that does provide up to 3 1/2 hours of Saturday night care and a lot of supervised fun for the kids. Parents must preregister online and then just drop them off with staff at the curb between 630 and 7, with pickup as late as 10. Our daughter, age 6, has had a great time, twice now, and we were able to have much appreciated adult time off. At the meeting it was suggested if multiple families from Mamas and Papas were interested and able to do this, it would provide a chance for the kids to get to know each other better outside of the short time at Mamas and Papas, in a fun, interactive environment. And if parents from the group want to get together for a social evening, that would also be possible. There are other places that do similar activity nights sans parents that perhaps others know and could post about, like at the Mission Y (for younger kids, too, I believe), I hear.

Hope to see some of you on November 1!

(posted by Guy)

Affording the Bay Area

2008-09-12T20:11:00.001-07:00

I just saw a report that of the 10 most expensive real estate markets in the US, 8 are in California. No surprise to those of us living in the Bay Area. Even though our basic living expenses are very high, I’m always amazed at the number of free activities there are for families. The October discussion topic is to share your family’s favorite free activities (Oct. 4 for the 5-10 group, Oct. 25 for the 0-5s). I’m going to try to compile a list of everyone’s suggestions that I will post here. In the meantime you can help me get started with the list by sending a comment to the blog.

Here’s one free San Francisco activity to get the list started. The Eureka Valley Recreation Center is free and open all year round. It’s in the Castro at 100 Collingwood St. I’ve only been to the outdoor playground, which is very nice. Apparently there is also an indoor playroom that is great – a large room with tumbling mats and things for climbing, sliding, swinging, and riding, along with toys and books. If you’re not going to the OFC sponsored conference on Queer Families at the Center on October 11 you can join the Mamas and Papas 0-5 group at Eureka Valley Rec Center. Parents and children will be together for this event. Be sure to look for us inside.

Terri

LGBTQ Parents with Children ages 5-10 Meeting this Saturday

2008-09-02T15:20:00.001-07:00

Just a reminder that Mamas & Papas will be meeting on Saturday, September 6, 4:30pm-6:30pm.

LGBTQ Parents w/children ages 5-10: First Saturdays at The SF LGBT Community Center, from 4:30 pm-6:30 pm.

FREE Childcare & Dinner!
Please RSVP to lisa@ourfamily.org or call 415-981-1960.

This Saturdays topic is: Talking to your kids about the diversity of relationships and families in the LGBTQ community:

The recent advances in marriage equality have brought a great deal of attention to LGBTQ families that can be seen as the same, but different - two adults deciding to make a lifetime commitment to each other, two adults deciding to parent together. The prospect of the present generation growing up with a cultural context in which families with two moms or two dads are just a given is heartening. Many LGBTQ families spill out of those boundaries, though - two moms and two dads parenting together, two dads and one mom doing so, two moms and one dad, single parents going it on their own, large extended families of affinity that offer the support traditionally relied upon from blood relatives, complex polyamorous families, families in which one or more parents are genderqueer or transition before or after becoming parents, and many, many more. Let's take some time in September to share our experiences and perceptions as families both inside and outside those "same, but different" boundaries.

Meeting Reminder: Saturday, August 23 Meeting & Playgroup!

2008-08-14T14:50:00.000-07:00

Posted by Julia

Hi everyone. Just a reminder about next Saturday's 0-5 meeting.

When: Saturday 8/23, 10am-11:30am (please allow transition time if your child is new to the Center's Kidspace)

Where: The SF LGBT Community Center, 1800 Market St., San Francisco, CA

The topic will be: Balancing Acts! As we navigate parenthood, we have to make an array of difficult decisions. Some of the most challenging may be about the time and energy we give to involving the families we grew up in with the families we've made for ourselves - how much? When? Where are our boundaries? What are our expectations? And hey, can we just stay home in our jammies sometimes when we have some too-rare free time? Will Gramma or our child's favorite Uncle forgive us?

Also, something fairly new to the group, we now have post-meeting playgroups (12:15pm) at nearby Koshland Park (Page & Buchanan sts.). All are invited to join us.

Submissions wanted!
Don't forget the blog is for all LGBTQ parents, families, and allies. If you have something you want to ask, share, get opinions/comments on, this is a great place for it! Contact us by emailing Julia@ourfamily.org with your submission.

Parenting questions

2008-05-10T21:39:00.000-07:00

Today's topic was to talk about your toughest parenting quandaries. We talked about things ranging from how to handle discipline issues, to switching from bottle to cup, to discussing the pros and cons of using a gestational carrier. Most of our discussion groups focus in on a particular topic rather than the hodgepodge of today; but it was nice to be able to be "in the moment" with the parents in the group.

I want to encourage our readers to submit your parenting challenges to our blog (mamaspapasblog@gmail.com) and we can start an on-going dialog. Parenting is tough work - let's not make it tougher than it needs to be by trying to do it in isolation.

(submitted by Shelli)

iPride introduces SF playgroup!

2008-05-07T12:03:00.000-07:00

Saturday, May 17, 2008
10am-12pm
KidPower Park in the Mission
65 Hoff Street - 1/2 a block from the 16th & Mission Street BART Station (between 16th & 17th Streets)
Enclosed Park with a lot of activity options for kids. It's also super accessible by public transit, and there's a parking garage right across the street for those who arrive by car.
FREE
~ going forward, the SF PlayGroup will be every 3rd Saturday, 10am-12pm ~
For more information about iPride, click on this post's headline or go here - www.ipride.org

and the East Bay playgroups are still happening, too - Every Second Saturday from 10am-12pm:
Saturday, May 10, 2008
10am-12pm
Kids 0-10yrs Welcome!
Astro Park @ Lake Merritt
550 El Embarcadero - Lakeshore and Grand Avenue @ MacArthurAcross the street from the Chevron and near the Library
Great Playground, Big Lawn, Feed the Birds,Bring your kites, balls, or blankets
FREE

Saturday, June 14, 2008
10am-12pm
Kids 0-10yrs Welcome!
Kids' Kingdom Playground
Lake Merritt, Bellvue Avenue, Oakland between Elita and Perkins
Weather Permitting...Great Playground, Big Lawn, Feed the Birds,Bring your kites, balls, or bicycles
FREE
For more information about iPride, click on this post's headline or go here - www.ipride.org

Free Kidspace Classes

2008-05-07T09:41:00.000-07:00

Hi all. The Kidspace is up and running and they've got great classes starting up this month. Classes include dance, Aikido, cooking, and more. As always the classes are 100% FREE!

Space Still available!

Enjoy a moment at the San Francisco LGBT Community Center while your children delve into a world of good. KidSpace is happy to announce 4 incredible Saturday classes that will be offered for FREE starting this month.

KidSpace Kitchen: 3 to 4 year olds will learn about the basics with Sarah Karpman in a hands-on exploration of food and cooking. Beginning on May 17th, this class will meet from 1:00 to 2:00 PM weekly for six sessions through June 21st.

Break Out Dance Project: 5 to 6 year olds will travel a world of beats and rhythms with Rebecca Weisser in preparation for a small debut in the Family Garden for Pride! Beginning on May 24th, this class will meet from 10:00 to 11:00 AM weekly through June 29th except on May 31st.

Aikido for Kids!: 7 to 12 year olds will train as a community in the non-violent martial art form with Teachers from Heart of San Francisco Aikido. This is the first time this class has been offered at the Center! Beginning on May 17th, this class will meet from 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM weekly for six sessions through June 21st.

Colors of Our Families Mural Project: 3 to 12 year olds are invited to participate in a mobile mural celebrating the diversity of LGBT families with Iraya Robles. Parents are invited to drop-in with their children. This project will meet on May 17, 31, June 14, 28 and July 12 from 2:00 to 4:00 PM.

SPACE IS LIMITED. Early Registration is encouraged; call or email emael today!

(415) 865-5553

emael@sfcenter.org

Location: The San Francisco LGBT Center

1800 Market Street//415.865.5555//www.sfcenter.org

Support a Queer Friendly Public School (SF)

2008-04-15T09:21:00.000-07:00

HEY, EVERYONE: COME EAT PANCAKES, LOOK AT ART & BUY COOL
STUFF!!

FOR: New Traditions Creative Arts Elementary School
WHEN: Saturday, April 19th
WHERE: 2049 Grove St. (between Cole &
Clayton)
WHAT: *Pancake Feed 10am - noon ($6 large plate/$4
small plate) *Art Show 11am - 2pm (tour at 11:30am) *Rummage
Sale 10am -- 2pm (bring your own bag for the Earth Day
special!)

-Jennifer & Carol (mamas&papas 1st Saturday members)

Anti-Marriage Initiative...

2008-04-10T13:05:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone...I always hate to post so many blogs...but here I am again!

As many of you may have heard there is a very well funded anti-LGBT group (http://www.protectmarriage.com) out there who is collecting signatures (via volunteers and many paid signature gatherers) to get an initiative on the November ballot which would "amend the California Constitution to provide that only marriage between a man and a woman be valid or recognized in California." I've already heard from many people who have encountered these paid signature gatherers at their local farmers markets and grocery stores.

They are VERY close to getting the 1.1 million signatures it requires to get this on the November ballot. We are coming up to the very last weeks to prevent this initiative from getting on the ballot, and need your help. Equality California is asking for your help by volunteering a couple hours over the weekend to counter paid signature gatherers in Sacramento and/or phone bank for support, if you are interested please click here: http://ga1.org/EFA/join.tcl

I volunteered for a Saturday shift about two weeks ago and had a great experience. Our volunteer team was sent to a Walmart in a town right outside Sacramento. While we did not encounter a paid signature gatherer at our site, we heard from many volunteers that did. I encountered people that didn't support LGBT marriage...and many that did. And for all the people that said they didn't support in LGBT rights, there were people 5x as enthusiastic about LGBT rights (LGBT identified and non-LGBT identified) that DID support LGBT marriage and rights.

So please consider volunteering your time to this extremely important "Stop the Initiative Campaign"...if you have any questions about my volunteer experience or this campaign, please feel free to email me at julia@ourfamily.org. PLEASE SEND THIS TO YOUR FRIENDS & FAMILY!

Squat and Gobble Tuesday

2008-04-01T12:55:00.000-07:00

Hello Mamas and Papas,> > I am very excited to invite everyone to eat out on> Tuesdays, have fun and share your dinner hour with> our growing community of LGBTQ-headed families. > Squat and Gobble in the Castro has designated every> Tuesday night as Family Night... and... the> restaurant will generously donate 15% of all profits> made after 6:00 on Tuesday nights to Our Family> Coalition (OFC -- parent organization of Mamas and> Papas). This is a great opportunity to have a fun> evening with your whole family, make new friends and> support the work of OFC (oh ... and skip cooking). > The kick-off for this weekly event is this Tuesday,> April 1.> > Squat and Gobble is located at 3600 - 16th Street> at the intersection where 16th, Noe and Market> Streets meet. They have a moderately priced and> varied menu including omelettes, crepes, soups,> salads and the ever-important PB & J. They will> also have a special kid-friendly menu on Tuesday> nights.> > My family will be there and we hope to see yours> there too -- Michael> (Michael Ginther, member, M & P Steering Committee> and OFC board)>

Tuesday Family Friendly Dinner Nights in SF!

2008-03-31T20:12:00.000-07:00

Hi Mamas & Papas Blog Readers!

I just wanted to let you all know that starting tomorrow (April 1st), every Tuesday after 5pm, The Squat & Gobble-Castro hosts a family friendly dinner night. In addition to the regular menu, there will be a kid-friendly menu, and kid-friendly activity and/or entertainer. 15% of all profits from these dinner nights will go to Our Family Coalition (http://www.ourfamily.org). Help us spread the word...tell and bring your friends and family, thank you!

Julia

The Squat & Gobble Castro: 3600 16th St. (between Market & Noe Streets), San Francisco

Blades of Glory

2008-03-22T21:31:00.000-07:00

As many of you know, in addition to our twins, David also has a 17 year old daughter who is a Jr. in high school. I just received an email from the parent leaders of the Junior class announcing a movie night sponsored by the Jr. class officers. The movie shown will be "Blades of Glory". I have a real problem with this movie selection and might voice my unhappiness to the parent leaders and the principal. I'm curious if other folks on the Blogspot share my concern or if you think I'm being too sensitive. I think most of my displeasure can be summed up by a few quotes from an article I read regarding the movie:

I saw the film at a crowded preview screening, and the biggest laugh came at Chazz’s face curling into disgust when he finds himself holding Jimmy’s crotch during a lift. The guy sitting behind me whooped, “Oooh, that ain’t right!” I don’t think the rest of the audience was laughing at gay anxiety, but rather because of it.
Blades of Glory has a one-laugh premise: real men (read: straight men) don’t skate like girls – and they especially don’t skate together. Like many contemporary comedies, Blades of Glory can’t resist the allure of the homophobic gag.

I should add that our daughter's high school does have a diversity week and does promote homophobia as unacceptable. I must give them credit because my high school never promoted diversity, particularly around anything "gay". Yet, I still find this movie selection to be at odds with the diversity message.

What do y'all think? Am I being too sensitive?

(submitted by Kendall)

More on sex and intimacy!

2008-03-13T23:21:00.000-07:00

Good morning Mamas & Papas!

I read in a recent blog post that a recent topic of
conversation at the mamaspapas blog had to do with love and
intimacy. As a trained sex educator and facilitator of
sexuality/sensuality-focused writing workshops, I am
familiar with the kinds of issues that arise for many folks
around sexuality and intimacy—not the least of which, for
parents, has to do with, of course, the ways in which one’s
sense of oneself as a sexual *being* changes so radically
upon welcoming a child into one’s life/heart/self.

As someone who is preparing for the journey toward
parenthood, this has been on my mind for a long time.
Because I’m a survivor of sexual trauma, my understanding of
my sexuality has undergone many transformations. What’s in
store for my body, my desire, my relationship(s) as I step
up into this new arena?

I started the Declaring Our Erotic writing workshops five
years ago as a place where survivors could come together and
write openly about our full and complicated erotic lives –
and as these workshops have opened to all writers (not just
those who are survivor-identified), I (and others!) have
been deeply impacted by the writing that moms in the
workshops have risked sharing. If we don’t take the
opportunity to express all the hidden desires, the struggles
and worries and longings, even as we’re celebrating each new
aspect of our lives, we risk shutting down intensely
important parts of ourselves. We must nurture our adult
selves (meaning non-parent, although can we ever be
non-parents again?), as separate from if ever intricately
woven alongside our parent selves, in order to be most
completely *in* our lives…

I welcome your thoughts and comments!

(submitted by Jen www.writingourselveswhole.org)

Babysitting

2008-03-12T19:05:00.000-07:00

Several members of our group would like to start a babysitting trade. They envision a system where families trade-off on watching one another's kids. If you would be interested in such an arrangement please comment here and I will connect you all. Or you can email mamaspapasblog@gmail.com .

(posted by Shelli)

Another great event in our community

2008-03-10T21:58:00.000-07:00

Supporting Multiethnic, Multiracial and Transracially Adopted Youth and Their Familes Since 1979

iPride Presents...

MULTIGRAIN: An evening of Poetry, Music, Comedy and Dance

Sunday, April 20th @ 7pm

La Pena Cultural Center

3105 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley/Oakland

More info:

Mixed! Blended! High Energy! Multi Media Performances Satisfying and Good For You Too!

$15 donation $10 Student
All money raised benefits The FUSION Summer Program's Scholarship Fund

On site childcare available.

To be a Vendor, Donate a Really Cool Raffle Prize or to Volunteer at this Event please email us info@ipride.org www.ipride.org ... Stay in the loop and get all the updates on ALL of our events.

(submitted by Janine)

Free Movie event

2008-03-10T21:47:00.000-07:00

In honor of the 41st Federal Anniversary and the 60th California State Anniversary of The Loving Day Decision

The Multiethnic Education Program and Alameda County Supervisor Alice Lai-BitkerPresent A Free Screening of...

My People Are...Youth Pride in Mixed Heritage

Friday, March 28, 2008
6:30pm-8pm
Crosstown Community
1303 High Street
Alameda, CA
View Larger Map

My People Are... is a film that promotes positive racial and ethnic identity in ALL people, highlighting the experiences of mixed heritage youth. In this 20 minute youth led film, young performers share stories of pride, culture, history and ethnic roots through theater, interviews, dance, rap, song and spoken word.

Discussion to follow the film

Whole Family Friendly Event! Come One Come All!

Tune into Alameda Currents TV Alameda Cable Channel 31 Thursday, March 20th at 7:30pm for a closer look at iPride and My People Are...Youth Pride in Mixed Heritage. or watch online www.alamedatv.com

The Multiethnic Education Program a project of iPride .

Contact iPride's website or info@ipride.org or 510.644.1000, ext. 2

(submitted by Janine)

Posters Needed

2008-03-10T21:38:00.000-07:00

The M+P steering committee met tonight (as it does every second Monday of the month from 6-8 pm - free childcare and at the LBGT Center as always) and everyone unanimously agreed that it would be great if more people commented and posted to the blog.

Commenting is easy ... simply click the comment button, type your comment and press submit. For posts, simply send your post to mamaspapasblog@gmail.com with the word SUBMISSION or POST in the subject and it will be posted. All posts and comments are moderated - meaning that a steering committee member reads them prior to publishing the comment here. 99.9% of submissions are accepted. Our goal is not meant to censor but to protect the participants of M+P and OFC.

Love and Intimacy

2008-02-17T18:13:00.000-08:00

This month's topic has been Love and Intimacy. Our Saturday morning meeting a week ago really reminded me that it is important to take that extra effort to express affection for my partner even on days when I am just so exhausted and "touched out". Most of what I have read in terms of child development says that witnessing one's parents express their love for one another helps our children feel more secure and also to learn what intimacy in a relationship is.

I would have to add that expressing my love and affection for my husband is especially important on days when we have been bickering or have had a disagreement. Sadie can then see that even though her parents may not agree with each other, we still love each other and can work things out.

This coming Saturday's meeting wil focus on how we talk to our children about love and intimacy. What are your ideas? What has worked or not worked for you? If your child is a bit young for "formal" conversation, what aspects of this subject do you feel more or less comfortable with?

-------------------

In other related matters, I just watched a scary documentary on Gay "Conversion". It frightens me that parents are willing to send their 15 year olds away from home to stay at month long conversion programs and then call that choice parental love. I feel sad for these children who will grow up with such unnecessary self-loathing and shame. What are your thoughts?

(submitted by Shelli)

Transgender Parent Support Group

2008-02-15T09:25:00.000-08:00

Transgender Parent Support Group

Facilitated by: Rosa Reinikainen, MFT

Are you or your partner a transgender parent? Or thinking about becoming a parent? The Transgender Parent Support Group is an opportunity to connect with your peers and get mutual support. The group will meet every third Saturday of each month. First half hour will be spent socializing, with the remaining time dedicated to group discussion. Drop-ins are welcome, but ongoing attendance helps to establish group rapport.

Rosa Reinkainen has been working with the LGBTQ population for over 10 years. She works extensively with LGBTQ parenting. Rosa is also a queer parent and brings her parenting experiences and knowledge into her work in this area.

For free childcare, contact Julia at julia@ourfamily.org or 415-981-1960.

Location: The San Francisco LGBT Community Center, 1800 Market St at Octavia Blvd, San Francisco

(submitted by Shelli - sorry for being so late with this)

Parents' Night Out!

2008-02-05T15:01:00.001-08:00

Hi-
At our Mamas and Papas meeting on Saturday we discussed this Parent's
night out event and told folks we would share the info. Perhaps this
could be posted on the blog and emailed to our 5-8 yr old group...
It would be fun if several of the kids would all be there together-
Banti and Ruta will be attending!
Thanks-
Sheila & Meg

Excelsior Youth Center presents: Parent's Night Out! @ The Mission YMCA
Friday, February 15th, 2008, 4080 Mission St. 6:30-9:30pm
For just $10/child you can drop them off and enjoy an evening to
yourself or with a loved one. Let us take care of the rest.
Food games, and "Shrek the Third" on our surround sound projector
will be provided.

Contact: Kristin Bagwell, EYC Coordinator: kbagwell@ymcasf.org, 415-452-7561

(submitted by Sheila and Meg)

Some Resources for Mixed Race Families

2008-01-29T10:26:00.001-08:00

"In order to feel safe I need to feel known....Is visibility safety? Complex questions. Uncomfortable, uneasy answers, stirring up old hurts, old angers, old fears....Why is the possibility of ‘passing’ so insistently viewed as a great privilege..., and not understood as a terrible degradation and denial?” – Evelyn Torton Beck, Nice Jewish Girls

online:

http://www.drmariaroot.com/doc/BillOfRights.pdf - bill of rights for mixed folks

http://www.cynthialeitichsmith.com/lit_resources/diversity/multiracial/multi_race_picbooks.html - list of children's books about or including being mixed

http://www.mavin.net/ - url for the mavin foundation which has various resources including the multiracial child handbook and "chasing daybreak"

http://www.antiracistparent.com/ - great resource overall

http://www.myspace.com/melizabanales - local queer mixed blood spoken word artist

http://dragonflyrising.wearetheones.org/index2.php - haven't read this book yet, but it's on the list

http://www.lanikaahumanu.com/hapahaole.shtml - lani's amazing mixed blood poem

http://www.brownstargirl.com/new.html - leah's website

http://www.multiracialsky.com/ - mixed family resource site

books:

all the colors of the earth by sheila hamanaka {children's book}

loving in the war years by cherrie moraga

life on the color line: the true story of a white boy who discovered he was black by gregory howard williams

does anybody else look like me?: a parent's guide to raising multiracial children by donna jackson nakazawa

passing by nella larsen

borderlands/la frontera: the new mestiza by gloria anzaldua

as we are now: mixblood essays on race and identity edited by william s. penn

miscegenation blues: voices of mixed race women edited by carol camper

what are you?: voices of mixed-race young people edited by pearl fuyo gaskins

the multiracial experience: racial borders as the new frontier edited by maria p. p. root

when she was white: the true story of a family divided by race by judith stone

one drop: my father's hidden life - a story of race and family secrets by bliss broyard

racially mixed people in america edited by maria p. p. root

when white is black by john a. martin jr.

part asian, 100% hapa by kip fulbeck

black looks: race and representation by bell hooks

mixed: an anthology of short fiction on the multiracial experience edited by chandra prasad

the color of water: a black man's tribute to his white mother by james mcbride

the mixed race issue of canadian feminist journal "fireweed" {2002?}

when nickels were indians: an urban mixed blood story by patricia penn hilden

consensual genocide by leah lakshmi piepzna-samarasinha

"you're standing in the blood quantum line

with a pitcher in your hand

poured from your heart into your veins

you said i am

I am

now measure me

measure me

tell me where i stand" ~indigo girls

(submitted by Janine)

Discussion of race and Ethnicity

2008-01-26T19:24:00.000-08:00

Anyone care to talk more about this month's topic of race and how it impacts our families? Maybe you have a list of resources or book reviews to share on the subject?

Please submit your posts for this blog to mamaspapasblog@gmail.com!

Mamas and Papas 0-5 Group This Saturday!

2008-01-09T22:02:00.000-08:00

Happy 2008!

This is just a friendly reminder about our 2nd Saturday meeting this Saturday for LGBTQ parents of children ages 0-5.

This Saturday M&P will be discussing race; identity, and the myriad of ways they inform and shape our lives as Queers and Parents. Please bring your Mama and Papa selves to the SF LGBT Center and join the conversation.

Free childcare (rsvp to julia@ourfamily.org) starts at 9:30; formal conversation begins promptly at 10 and ends at 11:30 with childcare to noon to allow for socializing after our discussion. Babes 6 months and younger welcome in the discussion. We want all of our events to be accessible to people with disabilities and special needs. Please contact Julia for information.

A Response to the OFC Study

2007-12-19T20:00:00.000-08:00

so, i just came across this article in an OFC update-thingy on myspace from a few months ago, and i'm reading along, and i'm realizing that bisexuals are NOWHERE in the article or in the research strategy used in the study that the article discusses. oh, wait, excuse me - there we are as the B in "an idea of LGBT families" and there's the whole damn word in "San Francisco Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Community Center". nonetheless, there is no discussion of the reality that queers in opposite sex couples are raising kids in queer community, too, or that some of the queers in the same sex couples demographic discussed might not be lesbian or gay. and nope, trans families are not mentioned either. what the hell? bisexuals and transfolk are raising kids, too, and many of us are raising them in queer community. why, then, are we consistently excluded by so much of the dialogue, research, media, et cetera spinning out of, around, and ostensibly for lgBT families? my kid is going to experience marginalization in 87 different ways - as female, as non-white, as mixed, as the child of an escaped working class and chronically ill ma, and yes, as queerspawn, among others. it disappoints and infuriates me that she is likely to also be marginalized within queer community as the child of bisexuals. i'm showing up, people. i'm trying to contribute, but shit like this just makes me want to go the hell home and stay.

(posted by janine)

A Great Event to Attend

2007-12-15T07:42:00.001-08:00

The Parent-to-Parent Café for Multiracial Families
and the Playgroup

Saturday!
January 19th, 2008
10:00am - 12:00pm

@

Habitot Children's Museum

2065 Kittredge Street
Berkeley 94704

in the Annex...

Join us for this Playgroup Cafe for
mixed heritage and transracially adopted families
with children 0-6yrs old.

It is an opportunity to come together, share ideas, stories and offer mutual support.

Parents and Caregivers gather to chat and visit
with each other while a staffed, hands-on art
activity engages the children.

For more information about
The Parent-to-Parent Café
and the iPride Monthly Playgroups
Parent to Parent Cafe
iPride Playgroups

Susana Telles
Parenting Education Programs Manager
510-647-1111x16
parented@habitot.org

Jilchristina Vest
Co-Director, iPride
510.644.1000 x225
jilchristina@ipride.org

(Thanks to Janine for posting this!)

December Mamas & Papas Events - Please note some important changes!

2007-12-06T22:33:00.000-08:00

Greetings Mamas & Papas!

This is just a reminder that our December 1st Friday and 2nd Saturday meetings will be canceled. Instead, we are encouraging everyone to attend the Our Family Coalition Multi-Faith Holiday Potluck on Saturday, December 8 from 3-5pm (more information below).

Our regular 4th Saturday meeting for parents with children 0-5 will take place on Saturday, December 22nd at the SF LGBT Center (1800 Market Street, SF) from 9:30am-11:30am. After the meeting, everyone is invited to join us at the Yerba Buena Gardens for ice skating (see details below).

We are also changing our 1st Friday meetings (Parents with children 5-8 yrs) for the next three months of Jan-March to 1st Saturdays from 4:30-6pm. If you have any questions and concerns please feel free to contact Julia@ourfamily.org or call 415-981-1960.

Multifaith Holiday Potluck
Saturday, December 8, 3:00-5:00pm

Co-Sponsored by COLAGE & the SF LGBT Community Center
A Special Thanks to: San Francisco Department of Children, Youth and Families, and Bank of America

This is the big one folks, an event not to be missed! We try to honor and acknowledge many traditions, so come join in the fun and bring whatever foods and holiday materials that make this holiday season meaningful to your family. As always, we will have a HUGE multi-table gingerbread making station and arts and crafts for the kiddies. There will be a magic and comedy show that you don't want to miss! This holiday party is worth the trip just to visit beautiful Saint Gregory's Church.

Location: St. Gregory's Episcopal Church, 500 De Haro St, San Francisco

LGBTQ Family Support Groups Go Ice Skating

Saturday, December 22, 12:45pm

Mamas & Papas, Transracial Adoption, and Transgender Parents Groups combined event!

Your family is invited to an LGBTQ family ice skating social! We will all meet at 12:45 in front of the lawn by the ice rink at Yerba Buena, and head in together at 1pm. You are welcome to bring your own skates or rent them there for $3.

Yerba Buena Ice Skating Center
750 Folsom St., between 3rd & 4th sts., San Francisco

Youth (up to age 12) $6.25
Adults (13-55) 8.00
Seniors (over 55) 5.50

Thankfulness

2007-11-21T09:18:00.000-08:00

An "attitude of gratitude" is something that my family strives to maintain and to teach to our daughter. In this season of Thanksgiving, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all the LGBTQQIQ parents out there - and most especially to those of you who have older kids and who have already smoothed the pavement for newbies like me. Your perseverance and commitment against all odds and societal barriers is a testimonial to the power of parental love and honor.

I want to thank all the people who have or will come to the Mamas & Papas meetings. Your camaraderie, empathy and laughter make this job of parenting easier and less isolating. The steering committee does tireless behind the scenes work. You all deserve much credit.

I want to thank all of our child care providers for taking their precious weekend time to expertly care for our children during our meetings. Knowing that Sadie and all the kids are well taken care of in the presence of peers in similar family constellations allows me to relax and enjoy the meetings.

I want to thank Our Family Coalition, and especially Julia, for the work they do on behalf of M&P in particular and on behalf of our families in general.

I wish all a Happy, healthy and safe Thanksgiving.

Now, it's your turn. Who and what are you grateful for?

(posted by Shelli)

Mamas and Papas Update

2007-11-15T14:54:00.000-08:00

Greetings Mamas & Papas!

This is just a reminder that our December 1st Friday and 2nd Saturday meetings will be cancelled. Instead, we are encouraging everyone to attend the Our Family Coalition Multi-Faith Holiday Potluck on Saturday, December 8 from 3-5pm (more information below).

We are also changing our 1st Friday meetings (Parents with children 5-8 yrs) for the next three months of Jan-March. We want to hear from YOU about which times work best for your family to join us. The dates will be Saturdays, 1/5, 2/2, and 3/1, and the possible meeting times you have to choose from are: 4:30-6PM and 6-8PM. Please visit the mamas&papas blog at http://mamaspapas. blogspot. com/, and see the top right corner for the 1st Friday time move poll. If you have any questions and concerns please feel free to contact Julia@ourfamily. org or call 415-981-1960.

Saturday, December 8, 3:00-5:00pm
Multi-Faith Holiday Potluck
Co-Sponsored by COLAGE and the SF LGBT Community Center
This is the big one folks, an event not to be missed! We try to honor and acknowledge many traditions, so come join in the fun and bring whatever foods and holiday materials that make this holiday season meaningful to your family. As always, we will have a HUGE multi-table gingerbread making station and arts and crafts for the kiddies. This holiday party is worth the trip just to visit beautiful Saint Gregory’s Church.
Location: St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church, 500 De Haro St, San Francisco

Our Family Coalition
870 Market St., Suite 872
San Francisco, CA 94102
http://www.ourfamil y.org, if you are not yet a member, please join us!
phone: (415) 981-1960 ext. 6
fax: (415) 981-1962

Discussing hard topics

2007-11-12T07:02:00.000-08:00

Saturday's M+P meeting was just awesome... Thanks to T for facilitating it.

I have been thinking and talking about how I will address illness and loss with our daughter as she grows up and to be honest the thought scares me a lot. How do I present such material without scaring her unnecessarily? How do I know if I am telling her too much information or too little information for her age?

The other parents at the meeting certainly gave me some wisdom to draw on. I found myself doing what every parent in this technological age does: I googled the subject and came up with a few good resources I thought I would share with you all.

Tips on Talking to Children about Parents Illness. This is a site for social workers.

Tips for Talking with Kids about Mental Illness This is a site by the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

PBS Parents article about talking to your kids about health This article focuses more on talking to kids about their own health/illness.

A nice article from Hospice about talking with kids about death

Talking to Kids about Death. This is another PBS article.

Any other reading material you all would recommend?

(posted by Shelli)

OFC, COLAGE and SF LGBT CENTER Study on LGBT Families

2007-10-31T13:28:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone.

Just wanted to let you know that Our Family Coalition, in collaboration with COLAGE and The Center just released a study about LGBT familes- and if you pick up the Chronicle from today (10/31) it is the front page article. Its a great article on the diversity...and adversities of our families. If you don't get a chance to pick it up, you can see it here.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article/comments/view?f=/c/a/2007/10/30/MNJET3CR3.DTL&o=2

Julia Po, San Francisco Programs Coordinator

Our Family Coalition
870 Market St., Suite 872
San Francisco, CA 94102
http://www.ourfamily.org/
phone: (415) 981-1960 ext. 6
fax: (415) 981-1962

(submitted by Julia Po)

The Hills Are Alive

2007-10-26T10:36:00.000-07:00

I have attended the Sound of Music Sing Along for the past few years. It is a really fun experience. Feel free to dress up as one of the characters and join in the costume contest! Unfortunately, Marty, Sadie and I will be in NY for the weekend visiting relatives but I encourage those of you in the Bay Area to come along with the Mamas and Papas!

Join Mamas&Papas for the Sound of Music Sing-A-Long @ the Castro Theatre!

Sound of Music Sing-A-Long Date: Friday, November 23

Time: 1PM (Program runs approx. 240 mins)

Location: 429 Castro St., San FranciscoCost: $10 per person

RSVPs ARE REQUIRED, please call Julia by 11/6 at 415-981-1960 or email Julia@ourfamily.org and indicate how many tickets you will need.

Do-Re-Mi....There's no better way to spend the long weekend! Mamas & Papas invites your family to a Friday afternoon at the Castro Theatre Sound of Music Sing-A-Long. Join other LGBTQ families as we all sing along to this classic musical. Tickets are regularly $15, but if you RSVP today you can purchase tickets for only $10 each.So Long, Farewell, hope to see you there!

PS. PHOTOS WANTED!

We are seeking photos of your family for our Mamas & Papas outreach and promotional materials. Please email Julia@ourfamily.org with your photo(s), or call 415-981-1960 if you have any questions.

(posted by Shelli)

Hallowe'en Party!

2007-10-23T07:04:00.000-07:00

Marty, Sadie and I attended this last year and it was very fun! We're going again! Look for a cute 2 year old in a blue Care Bear Costume.

Saturday, October 27, 5:00-8:00pm

Monster Mash Halloween Potluck

Co-sponsored by COLAGE and the San Francisco LGBT Community Center

Bring your ghosts and goblins to a Halloween Bash in San Francisco! Bring a dish to share and costumes to dazzle the eye. The SF LGBT Community Center’s Rainbow Room will be transformed into a creepy Halloween experience. Enjoy face painting, an eyeball relay, ring around the pumpkin, and many other fun games for the family. Come in Costume!

(posted by Shelli)

Location: The San Francisco LGBT Community Center, 1800 Market St at Octavia Blvd, Rainbow Room, San Francisco

Race and Nobel Prize Winners

2007-10-18T15:22:00.000-07:00

I'm sorry I missed the discussion on race. the past discussions have always been so rewarding and i look forward to our continued discussions next year.

So today i saw a headline "Museum cancels race row scientist's talk". In an interview with the British press James Watson made ignorant and racist remarks. (He stated that africans were less intelligent that europeans.) I'm so glad that the London Science Museum had the good sense and courage to cancel his sold out lecture. And Cold Spring Harbor, the institution he is associated with was quick to denounce his statement. It saddens me though.

As a scientist, I know watson has a history of making arrogant, ignorant and hurtful remarks about race and gender and sexual orientation. his comments still sting. While I hope for a better world for our children this is just another reminder of how far we have to go until our worth is no longer judged by the color of our skin or our sexual orientation or other so irrelevant criteria.

submitted by terri

About our blog

2007-10-16T21:49:00.000-07:00

This Mamas & Papas blog is meant to encourage discussion and resource sharing outside of the in-person meetings. We want the blog to be an opportunity for us to get to know one another and also to get the word out about the great conversation to be had at our meetings.

Please feel free to submit your posts of most any length (minimum: 1 paragraph) to us for consideration. Send all posts to mamaspapasblog@gmail.com .

Your blog posts do not have to be perfectly written or worthy of publication in a magazine. They do need to be on-topic. What is considered on-topic? Pretty much anything having to do with being an LGBTQQI parent. Here are some suggested topics in no particular order:

The joys of being a gay dad/lesbian mom/bi parent/trans parent etc
Coming out to children - yours and your kids' friends
Helping your child cope with homo/trans/bi phobia
Birth announcements/birth stories
Single LGBTQ parents
Same sex parents and adoption
The challenges of being a Queer working parent
Finding time for ourselves as parents
Announcements or stories of family friendly events or outings
Getting "looks" at restaurants
Explaining their unique conception to your child
Discipline concerns
Child custody arrangements
How does your extended family treat your family?

Pretty much the same guidelines go for our posts as for our comments: we maintain the anonymity of others (and their children) who attend our meetings, we refrain from vulgar language, and we most certainly refrain from using any type of violent or hate speech. All submissions are the property of the authors and may not be used, distributed, disseminated, or otherwise copied for any reason without the express consent of the author. Mamas and Papas retains the right to post, edit, delete, or modify in any way all of its blog's content with or without the consent of the author. If any changes to the original submission are to be made, the original author will be notified and given the option of retracting her or his submission. Mamas & Papas may from time to time request from the authors the right to use quotes from the blog in promotional materials. No quotes will be used without permission of the author. All posts, with the exception of Mamas & Papas official notices such as this one, are the viewpoints of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of Mamas & Papas.

You may credit yourself as you wish - full name (not recommended), first name, initials, pseudonym.

What are you waiting for? Get writing!

Great discussion this morning!

2007-10-13T22:35:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to give a shout out of thanks to M for facilitating this month's discussion about race. There were so many heartfelt and honest shares that it really made me proud to be a part of the Mamas & Papas. A topic like race can easily make people uncomfortable and I think everyone did their best to stretch their level of comfort while also maintaining a safe space to share.

We had 3 new families each with young infants this morning. Seeing their cute little babies almost makes me want another. Of course, after witnessing my 2 year old's meltdown in the restaurant we ate at afterwards, I realize that newborns do grow up and maybe I'm not in such a hurry after all! My hat's off to all you folks with more than one kid!

There were a number of written resources named during the session. I was thinking it would be a great idea to compile a bibliography of sorts. If you have any suggestions for the bibliography list, send them our way!

(posted by Shelli)

This is the new Mamas & Papas blog!

2007-09-14T14:23:00.000-07:00