SAHD, SAHM, single mum, working mum, gay dad, gay mum, LBGT mums and dads, single dads, stepdad, stepmum, divorced dad, divorced mum. This list is endless when describing what sort of mum or dad you are, although I have very rarely seen the term 'working dad'.
Photo courtesy of DIY DADDY BLOG
2017 for me has been the year of labelling parents all across social media. It seems that if you don't have a label how could you possibly be a mum or dad? So where has all this labelling of parents come from? In my opinion social media and the media in general, and there is no doubt that political correctness has a lot to answer to.
Where have the days gone when no matter what the type of family you have, mum and dad are simply that, mum and dad.There seems to be an importance to parents nowadays that they must inform others what type of parent they are. In fact, it would probably be easier to write it on a label and stick it on your chest just in case somebody mistakes you from being plain and simple mum or dad. Let's be honest, when you introduce yourself to a parent of one your children's friends, I normally just say my name and that's it. Usually the other parent has worked out that I'm the twins' dad. Oh yes, by the way I'm a part-time SAHD, it's really important you know that, it's my badge of honour. What utter nonsense! So why do we constantly remind people of this on social media etc?
How the world has changed! On Twitter profiles I so often read that somebody is a parent, but then feel the need to say exactly what type of parent they are. Why? I really don't get it. I'm not going to think any more or less of a person depending on the type of parent they are as defined by the 21st century. It seems to me that it's almost a competition as to the type of parent you are. What happened to the days when it was just mum and dad, and that was it? It didn't matter what the role of the parent was, who was the main child carer, whether parents were still together or divorced, gay, who the main wage earner is or whatever the role of mum or dad was within the family environment.
So I ask the question why are we labelling parents? What is the need? Why is it so important to be pigeon-holed or defined as a certain type of parent? Are we not just simply a mum or dad? We have a role to play in our children's lives to help them grow into nice people and hopefully make the world a better place, as well as love them unconditionally and teach them right from wrong. Hopefully then our children can correct some of the dreadful things my generation have done to this world.
You don't need to be labelled a particular type of parent to do that. Just be mum or dad. The world we are currently living in has so many ridiculous ideas that are forming our culture, which I believe is complicating life. Let's keep it simple. Having a label as mum or dad does not make you a better or worse parent, and it doesn't make you any better than the other parents standing next to you because hopefully our children think we are all great mums and dads.
Is it important to you that you are labelled a particular type of parent? I would love to hear.
This post first appeared on DIY DADDY
https://www.facebook.com/DIYNige
https://www.instagram.com/diynige/
https://www.youtube.com/user/diynige