And Baby Makes Four
My daughter has two moms, one dad, and no complaints.
by Miriam Axel-Lute
November 15, 2007
Like preschoolers everywhere who point out sets of big, medium, and small things as the daddy, the mommy, and the baby, the daughter of another three-parent family I know identifies three-parent groupings wherever she goes, finding mama, daddy, and papa in what look to our untrained eyes like the oddest places. In a nativity scene, for example, with Mary, one of the three kings, and the shepherd who happens to be standing nearest by.
Even when relationships do end, having an additional person intimately involved can be a real strength. When both biological parents of another former triad I know were having mental health issues and going through a painful breakup, their daughter was able to go live with her other dad — a man who had never been related to her by blood or marriage, but who had been a part of her family since she was born and whom she knew as Dad.
On the other end of the spectrum, the kids I know whose parents just have open marriages don't even really register it, and why should they? There's no reason it has to be any different to them if mom gets an evening out to see her lover or to play cribbage.
This is the point where I give you some cute story about the quirkiness of non-monogamous parenting. But I have to say, all the stories I have right now are things you don't need to hear from me: snot from fall colds, the wonder of four brand-new words in a single day, trying to gauge what size boots those tiny feet will need come January.
All kinds of things about my life are complicated. My daughter having three parents just isn't one of them.
©2007 Miriam Axel-Lute and Nerve Media
About the Author
|
|
Related Articles
|
|
Miriam Axel-Lute is a freelance writer, editor and poet. She is an
award-winning columnist for Metroland, and lives in Albany with her two partners and daughter. Her website is mjoy.org. |
|
|
-
by Steven Johnson
The suburbs are overrated.
-
by Susan Gregory Thomas
Marketers say we're trying to relive our '70s childhood — and spending a fortune in the process.
-
by Steve Almond
The joy and pain of being a work-at-home parent.
|
