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Life would truly be boring if we were all the same. I feel like PRIDE events are the perfect way of celebrating that family core value for my kiddos. There are several reasons I attend PRIDE with my children.


They Might Be Gay!

If any of my children are LGBYTQ+, I want them to know from the moment they are born that I am SO OK WITH THAT! The thought of my children hiding their sexuality or feeling like they would not be accepted in their own home is terrifying to me. When you look at the suicide rates within this youth population, I think parents are crazy not to make sure their kids KNOW they will be loved, regardless of who they love.

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It Fits With My Parenting Philosophy

I have never made assumptions about my children’s sexuality. I avoid gender stereotypes and I would never say to my daughter “what boy do you have a crush on?” I always exclude gender from my nosey mama questions. I may bug my kids about telling me about their crushes, but I make no gender assumptions. In fact, I recently have been more sensitive that some teens may not have crushes at all – they may be asexual or just not there yet. So, I’ve even stopped assuming teens have crushes!

 

It’s FUN!

PRIDE festivals are full of laughing, dancing, singing and crazy fun activities and entertainment. The heteros could really take some lessons on how to throw a party!

 

It’s A Reminder That Families Come In All Shapes and Sizes

When you raise kids who have one mom and one dad, sometimes that experience makes them think that that is “normal”. It is important for them to see other families are just as “normal”. A family comes in many forms and is not defined by our experience of it. I love seeing my kids’ eyes and minds open to the diverse families they see and meet at PRIDE.

 

I Get The Best Seat In The House

Here I am on the shoulders of one of my teens. We get to spend an amazing day together and share some good (and sometimes hard) conversations.

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 From all of us at Mabel’s Labels, we wish you and your family a HAPPY PRIDE!

 

Author

Julie Cole is a recovered lawyer, mom of six and co-founder of Mabel’s Labels. She has helped her company bring their product to a worldwide market, gain media recognition and win countless awards. Julie is no stranger to the media, having appeared on NBC’s The Today Show, HLN’s Raising America, Breakfast Television, The Marilyn Denis Show, CP24, among many others. As a blogger and writer, her articles have appeared in The Huffington Post, Today’s Parent, The Globe and Mail, Profit Magazine, Working Mother Magazine, Chicken Soup For the Soul - Power Moms and numerous websites. When she’s not juggling her busy family and professional life, Julie is an active volunteer and engaged community leader, who is passionate about women’s issues, mentoring young entrepreneurs, poverty alleviation and social justice.

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