Aidan said this recently when relaying that he learned a friend of his has two moms. It was the first question that came to mind.

It was a proud moment for me actually. We have done our best to raise the kids to understand that there are lots of different kinds of families and that all that matters is that children are loved. It seems as though we are doing a good job. But before we pat ourselves on the back, it’s also worth noting the context in which our children are growing up.

Aidan was born in 2005. At that point same sex marriage was on the books in Massachusetts for a year. They have never known any different. They are also growing up during a time when an African American was elected president and governor. Brendan goes to school in the only city in country that boasts of an African American President, Governor and Mayor. To them there are far fewer differences that past generations.

Living in Massachusetts in 2012 is not bad for a couple of kids. The only sports team they don’t know of as champions is the Patriots!

There is of course the implied part of this comment that moms can’t (or don’t) cook. While it is true in our family that this is how things are divided, we may need to spend more time on how anyone can cook (or do laundry, and other house chores). But it is pretty great that they gender stereotype in a different way. Having a mom who works and a dad who takes on ironing and so much more will hopefully make them more well rounded.

Or so we hope.