Faceless

I noticed that I don't contribute stories or pictures of our two older children. I find myself protecting them even in ways they do not need to be protected, mostly because of their private other-family lives.

Our oldest daughter (pictured on the left) will be 13 this summer - a teenager! Vada keeps asking me if I feel old being the mother of an impending teenager. I feel old for many other reasons - the fact that I will be the mother of a teenager isn't one. Our daughter never invites friends over - but she has plenty. Just ask her why she lost cell phone privileges both at our house AND at her dad's house! Vada and I asked her if she would like to plan something with her friends this summer to celebrate this big birthday event - she said no, that she would rather go out to eat at her favorite restaurant and invite some of our adult friends and immediate family. She vehemently denies it, but I think it is because she lives in a two-mom household. She had a friend at school last year who was the daughter of an out-lesbian in our local city government. When I mentioned to our daughter that her friend also has two-moms, she was shocked and said that the girl never told her. Of course, now that girl is at a private school this year. I mentioned to her that there is a local gay and lesbian parenting group in our city that holds events throughout the year including beach trips, picnics and bowling. I told her that we had joined the group and would become active participants this summer. I suggested that perhaps she would meet some friends that also live with same-sex parents that she liked and felt comfortable around. Her face lit up. Here's hoping there are other pre-teens and early teens in that group!

Our son (pictured on the right) recently turned ten and very proudly hugs his two moms at school and his school teacher even requested a photo of his baby sister for her classroom wall that his other mother delivered within the first weeks of school. He is oblivious that someone may not be his friend because of his family dynamic. When he grows up he plans to be a professional basketball player. If you ask about back-up plans, he will settle for being a professional football or baseball player or working at Best Buy because they can play video games during their breaks.