As I discussed previously, a producer for TLC/Discovery Health approached my family about appearing in a special on “out-of-the-box” parenting styles. They were interested in the couple of posts I wrote about Gender Neutral parenting specifically, and thought it would make an interesting addition to the special.
It intrigued me, and I figured “Ah, what the heck.” So we filled out a 6,200 page questionnaire, sent some pictures, and sat back waiting for the inevitable “You’re-not-interesting-enough” rejection email. (oh, I know, I’m just a bowl of sunshine, aren’t I?! But I’ve had a crappy couple-a months, feeling like the last kid to get picked in gym-class, and I wasn’t expecting anything remotely fun to happen to us until at least the year 2010. I pinky-swear I’ll stop being Debbie Downer as my New Year’s Resolution. Until then, just let me wallow.)
Instead of the expected rejection email popping into my Outlook box, yesterday I received an email from the producer congratulating us on getting picked for the show. I immediately got those nauseating butterflies in my stomach that result from the combination of disbelief, excitement, and absolute dread. What the hell did I just get us into?
Well, after some haggling over our compensation package, us politely declining to do the show, then them making a counter offer, we finally settled on mutually agreeable terms. In addition to a healthy little stipend, they will also promote this here blog on the show, which (fingers crossed) will help boost my traffic and get my message out. I also felt a certain responsibility to do the show in order to promote crunchy living, and help the general public see that it’s not nearly as abnormal as some people might initially believe. I mean, let’s face it… the mainstream media does not do a great job of portraying us crunchier-folks. If attachment parenting were mainstream, it wouldn’t be called attachment parenting – it would just be called “parenting.” Maybe this special will help our image, and I hope I can do my part.
We begin our three-day filming schedule the Sunday after Christmas, and no, I do not yet know when it will air. But trust me, I promity-promise I will be tweeting and blogging all the details as they emerge (and now might be a good time to follow me on twitter or subscribe to my blog or Fan me on Facebook if you haven’t already! Hint hint!)
Oy. I’m tired just thinking about this. Please wish my family lots o’ luck.
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UPDATE: The special airs on Monday, March 3rd. Check your local listings for time and channel. RSVP to the virtual viewing party on Facebook here.
The recap of the filming can be found here:
I find it so sad that your parenting style is considered "radical"...I have run an in-home childcare for 10 years and the children I care for have access to toys for both genders. Often the boys will dress up in dresses and high heels and the girls love to be race car drivers and cowboys. Although both genders will play with dollhouses, often the boys play is "active"...My own son loved to throw the dolls off the roof and then have the ambulance come and take them away. Many of the boys find the strollers are really all about the "wheels" and having races. Is this a learned behavior or of more of a gender predisposition? Is it influenced by siblings? Hard to say? I have cared for some boys that did have a very nuturing side and were sweet with the baby dolls. Some of the boys I care for are more into action figures and dolls than cars and trucks... I have always allowed play without any bias...
I love that my husband (a 6'4" firefighter) is a wonderful cook and a hands-on dad. I would hope that parents with siblings of both genders naturally find that children will gravitate to toys that interest them and do not put restrictions on their choices. I do realize however, that as children grow and are influenced by peer pressure and societies "accepted norms", they may naturally shy away from some behaviors that were more acceptable when they were younger. I think that a 8-year old boy may endure ridicule from his peers if he was to continue to dress up in princess dresses... I can't imagine cooking would be in that same category. My own son enjoyed knitting with his grandmother when he was 9 or 10, but now at 13 seems embarassed that his friends might find out. He is very creative and artistic and I do my best to allow him the freedom to express this side of his personality. He helps cook and clean and do laundry. I hope that he will learn to be a good partner in a marriage and share the responsibilities equally. I hope that society is embrassing this concept as well..Certainly much more that it did in earlier generations.
Society does seem to be more accepting of girls and have less restrictions on their preferences... Girls can be enjoy sports and fast cars or they can embrace their more "traditional" feminine side. Boys certainly have a harder time if their interests lie in the more creative avenues.
Your child rearing seem natural and acceptable to me and I would hope society does not find it far from the norm...How can parents with children of both genders keep their children playing separately with gender bias toys?...I doubt they can (and I would hope they would not want to.
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