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On the way to school this morning, I shared the IKEA name thing with the kids, who weren't really as excited as I was about it. I told them my names, expecting that they would want to do theirs, too. But they didn't immediately jump in, so I did theirs for them, which I guess they

At one point, I paused too long trying to spell a ten letter name backwards, and Viktor reached over and turned up the System of a Down. As soon as I got it, I turned it back down to announce it and to relate what kind of

On the way to school this morning, I shared the IKEA name thing with the kids, who weren't really as excited as I was about it. I told them my names, expecting that they would want to do theirs, too. But they didn't immediately jump in, so I did theirs for them, which I guess they

So I guess I've just always assumed that, if you are a friend of mine, then you understand and are supportive of my decision to "allow" our children to transition. But I've run into a couple of awkward situations that have called this assumption into question. That's naivete

research. There was therapy involved for both kids and parents to help us do the right thing, and with the right timing. Our number one goal is to raise humans who have a strong foundation and excellent mental health.

So I guess I've just always assumed that, if you are a friend of mine, then you understand and are supportive of my decision to "allow" our children to transition. But I've run into a couple of awkward situations that have called this assumption into question. That's naivete

on my part, for sure. So. If you are one of the folks who don't understand, or god forbid, think we are actively harming our kids, please reach out in a PM. As a person who didn't always "get it" when it came

We didn't hit our kids to teach them to respect us. We didn't shame them, punish them, or threaten them into submission. All we had to do was model respectful behavior, to them, to one another, to strangers, and to friends. They learned how to do it by watching us. Of course they had slip

empathetic, and do not roll over when people try to dominate them. For people their age, they are surprisingly socially mature; even Viktor, who can struggle with social situations. I'm thankful that I didn't emulate my parents' methods of forcing respect through fear, pain, and shame.

We didn't hit our kids to teach them to respect us. We didn't shame them, punish them, or threaten them into submission. All we had to do was model respectful behavior, to them, to one another, to strangers, and to friends. They learned how to do it by watching us. Of course they had slip

It feels weird to have the same amount of anxiety over potentially not being in a musical group and possibly having to move to another state (or country) to protect our family. Why do I bother caring about the music part at all when our safety and well-being are at stake?

Why am I even bothering preparing reeds and practicing solos when friends are getting deported and people are self-exiting because the government is doing insane things? I guess it's a self-preservation thing?

Two days old! All seven are so sweet and so happy in their new space. They all go at the same time to eat (food is all the way on the right) then back to the left, where the light and water are, to nap and purr. They will come to your hand if you reach in, then all snuggle underneath it.

A Little Sad Ginormous News: When it comes to farm life, with the wonderful, you sometimes have to take a bit of bitter. We've had eight eggs successfully hatch, which is great, since two weeks ago we weren't sure we had any viable babies. However, the last one to hatch, a purebred Indio Gigante,

Tyme as my partner and parent to our children. He was able to take the little one outside and put them down quickly and humanely while I offered a long, tight hug to Viktor. I could have done the deed if he weren't available, but I'm so grateful he was here. Happily, the remaining seven are dry,

A Little Sad Ginormous News: When it comes to farm life, with the wonderful, you sometimes have to take a bit of bitter. We've had eight eggs successfully hatch, which is great, since two weeks ago we weren't sure we had any viable babies. However, the last one to hatch, a purebred Indio Gigante,