Parent’s Days. Who’s with me?

As someone who grew up with a very complicated relationship with their father, holidays like Father’s Day can feel difficult. My mother is wonderful, but I know many people have complicated relationships with their moms too, which makes Mother’s Day feel uncomfortable for some people as well.

While these days are meant to celebrate parents, they can also highlight gaps in our lives and reopen old wounds. That’s one of the reasons I don’t create traditional Father’s Day or Mother’s Day merchandise.

I also notice that a lot of “mom” and “dad” products reinforce outdated gender stereotypes. In our home, Dad does most of the caregiving.

What I do love celebrating is parenting itself.

Parenting can be exhausting, chaotic, hilarious, rewarding, frustrating, joyful, tender, and deeply loving, sometimes all in the same day. Those are the themes I want to honour year-round, whether through art, coloring books, shirts, or a cheeky mug that makes another tired parent laugh.