A role reversal in this house means that Frank goes to school and I'm the one who's at home with el Cinco, doing laundry and cooking. The idea of me cooking makes usually makes friends and family gasp with feigned, over-exaggerated incredulity: "OH. MY GAWSH. You COOKED? YOU? And you did some laundry, too? Surely this must be a sign of the Apocalypse."
I can cook, good people, but I just don't have to because Frank does it most of the time. I semi-brag often about how Frank does this, that, and the other around the house, things which traditionally fall into the hands of a woman to complete. Tradition. This is not the traditional household.
Last week, Frank went to an informational workshop for the Regents Exam. He was given a practice essay to complete and of the given topics, he chose this one: Is the traditional role of father changing? Explain why you think it is or isn't.
There are lots of things that I like about his essay, like how he took single fathers, gay fathers, and other stay-at-home fathers like himself into consideration, but the part I love the most is the conclusion which reads:
I may not be the sole financial provider, but I am the protector of my family. I love my wife and my children. I coach the kids in soccer and t-ball and we fix their bikes together when the chains pop off. I change the oil in the van, mow the lawn, and take out the trash. I can do all of this, and still bake some cookies, too.
I am one of many new traditional fathers.
Couldn't you just hug him? Taking on more of the "traditional" roles of a woman doesn't make him feel like less of a man. In fact, he says it makes him feel like more of a man.
Raise your hand if you love frank. *Raises hand. Both of them, and flails them wildly.*
Happy birthday, Frank. We love you (and not just because you bake us cookies the size of Kaelyn's face).
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Want to get Frank a birthday present? Check out his Etsy shop: Frank's Big Ones Bakery.
While I'm in big pimp mode, allow me to also direct your attention to a fabulous store from another blogger:
Tarah from The Johnsons Have Angel Wings has conjured up some delightful scents in the form of "whipped body frostings" and lotions. They looked so luxuriously silky that I placed an order for three body frostings! Click the button to go order some for yourself!
