At Baby Tula, we celebrate the vast diversity that defines family. We think a main component of what makes a family is LOVE. So we wanted to take an opportunity in June, Pride month, to kick off a new blog series that celebrates all the diverse forms of family. We start with one family that is near and dear to us! Team Tula member Allie and her wife, Lisa, share about welcoming their son, Rockwell, and a bit of advice for same sex couples considering parenting.
Can you share a bit about your own personal love story?
Allie: Hmmm, it sounds more scandalous than it actually was! We first met when I was a student in one of Lisa’s photography classes at a community college. Our shared love of analog black and white photography is what brought us together.
How did you decide you were ready to become parents?
Lisa: I always wanted to be a parent, but hadn’t met the right person for the journey. I have also experienced lots of personal growth that made me more confident. I knew that Allie would be an excellent partner to help & guide me throughout our parenting.
What’s something special or memorable about your experience of welcoming your child?
Allie: We have a room in our house that is small but has a lot of beautiful natural light and is decorated in all white with a few blue accents – we used to call it “the cloud”. Rockwell was born at home in this room and part of his birth story that he likes to tell is that he was born in a cloud.
Lisa: I cherish that Rockwell was born at home and in the cloud.
What is something you have learned since becoming a parent.
Allie: Prior to becoming a parent I had all sorts of ideas about how children should be raised and thought I had it figured out. After having a baby I realized that I had no idea what I had been talking about! I have learned to accept that the only thing constant with kids is change. When I find some approach or parenting technique that works, I go with it for as long as it works and then I try to find the next thing that will work.
Lisa: My little guy has feelings and I need to honor these feelings. As adults, we can be so busy and forget this. It never ceases to amazes me how much Rockwell understand and expresses.
What does Pride mean to you and/or your family?
Pride means Love and Freedom – not hiding who we are and celebrating people’s differences. It means justice and inclusivity and teaching our child compassion for others first and foremost.
Is there anything you would like to share with other same sex couples considering parenting?
Go for it! Kids are amazing! Find a community of other Queer parents, either in your town or online, and start to make friends. Parenting is hard work and you will need your own close knit community.
THANK YOU, Allie and Lisa, for chatting with us. If you want to share your pride with Tula, be sure to share your stories on Facebook and Instagram with us!
The post Proud Tula Families: Allie and Lisa appeared first on Baby Tula Blog.