Category: My daughters
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Podcast: A Tale of Two Daughters
“A Tale of Two Daughters” is the story of how, and why, I slipped the surly bonds of toxic masculinity and transformed from emotionally-stunted misogynist to awakened advocate of equality, from feckless father to devoted dad, as America changed with me.
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My essay is featured at the Washington Post!
Yes, I’m excited today because my personal essay “With over 40 years between the birth of my two daughters, I am two different fathers” is featured at the Washington Post On Parenting section.
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Happy Holidays from the Lavender-Mulkey Clan!
Wow, 2017 is about to come to an end, and in some respects, none too soon. But despite the extraordinary political challenges we’ve confronted in our nation this year, 2017 has been a fulfilling time in many ways for our little family.
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Happy New Year from the Lavender-Mulkey Clan!
Well, another year has passed, and what a year it’s been. It will be intriguing to see what 2017 will bring. In the meantime, Shonnie, Gracelyn and I want to share what we’ve been up to in 2016. And, if you’re willing, we’d like to hear what’s going on in your life, too.
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The Family Dance
It was Saturday, and that meant pizza and homemade ice cream night at the Lavender-Mulkey home. And, as frequently happens, it was time for a family dance.
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Breathing new life into my purpose
I wrote this on December 31, 2010 and am reposting it in honor my daughter Gracelyn’s 6th birthday today. * * * “What is your purpose in life?” the guardian of the gate at the men’s retreat demanded. “To work toward a more compassionate, just and sustainable world,” I immediately replied. “You may enter!” I…
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Teach Your Children Well
Loved this song in 1970 when my daughter Lilla was two, and I love it now as my daughter Gracelyn is about to turn five. “Teach Your Children Well” by Crosby, Still, Nash and Young You, who are on the road must have a code that you can live by. And so become yourself because…
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Breathing new life into my purpose
“What is your purpose in life?” the guardian of the gate at the men’s retreat demanded. “To work toward a more compassionate, just and sustainable world,” I immediately replied. “You may enter!” I guess I’ve known why I’m on this planet for 15 years or so, And at first I organized workshops that encouraged folks…
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Being with Gracelyn–Guiding Principles
Our parenting choices have been made with discernment and purposefulness with the intention that Gracelyn remain authentic, powerful, creative, self-sufficient, grounded, happy, healthy and whole. We practice the Golden Rule with Gracelyn: We treat her exactly as we would want to be treated if we were her age. We express our love for Gracelyn frequently,…
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A poem for Gracelyn
We didn’t tell her what to think, Or any rules to follow. We didn’t tell her what to feel, Or how to anger swallow. We couldn’t teach her to be real, And not to feign emotion. We wouldn’t tell her how life is, We let go of that notion. But in the end we knew…
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Don’t know your ass from a hole in the ground
Everyone’s heard the old saying “You don’t know your ass from a hole in the ground.” Well, when we were kids, one of the ringleaders of our gang would say to one of our young initiates, “I don’t think you don’t know your ass from a hole in the ground.” “Do too,” was the likely…
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The Wit & Wisdom of Gracelyn
The Wit & Wisdom of Gracelyn by Bruce Mulkey & Shonnie Lavender | Make Your Own Book
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25 things you may not know (or even care to know) about me
I was a scrawny little kid who was frequently ill. One of my elementary school teachers even referred to me as “sickly.” I played football with reckless abandon from junior high through college, though I have no interest whatsoever in watching games on the gridiron any longer. My favorite color is blue. More than half…
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For my daughters, Lilla and Gracelyn
There could never be a father who loved his daughter more than I love you. H/T to Mike Miller for telling me about this song.
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Our little girl at 2.5 years old
It’s finally dawned on me: We’ve now got another full-fledged member of the family. Yeah, I know, I’ve said something similar before, but these days our family has a whole new dynamic. Gracelyn at age 2.5 takes part in meaningful conversations, organizes occasional dance parties, cajoles us into evening walks under the stars and takes…
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On becoming a dad again . . . at 67
“I didn’t think old people could have babies.” That’s what my 13-year-old granddaughter Molly said when her mom (my daughter) Lilla told her that Shonnie was pregnant. When Lilla explained that it was only older women who couldn’t have babies, Molly reflected a moment, then replied, “I thought they were just going to have cats.”…