Backpacking Dad and Reality TV

I’ve always considered myself a feminist, which, as I define it, means that men and women should be treated as equals in every arena. So, when Project Mom Casting announced its call for Mommy Bloggers, I thought, why not Daddy Bloggers? Wouldn’t they make for great reality TV as well?

The first person I thought of was fellow blogger, Backpacking Dad, who some of you know as Shawn Burns. He’s attractive and hilarious. Isn’t that all that’s required for a reality series?

Shawn took the time to submit his entry for the new reality series that is being put together by non other than Ms. Momfluential herself, Ciarian Blumenfeld and Leane Vandeman. Eat your heart out ladies:

Hello, my name is Backpacking Dad. Don’t let the “dad” part fool you; I clearly have a vagina. I mean, it would be ridiculous of me to try to become the star of a reality show about moms if I didn’t have one of those, right? Ergo, what we have here is a reductio ad absurdum against any claim that I don’t have a vagina.

Wow. I think I just defined my bait and tackle right out of existence.

Anyway….what makes me a good fit for a reality television show about moms? Well, I have a good imagination. So, even though I don’t actually have a vagina (previous logical proof notwithstanding, which just goes to show you how well logic serves you), I can imagine what the life of a modern mom must be like. Given the existence of the vacuum, the dishwasher, the microwave, and the washer and dryer it probably only takes about 3 minutes per week to accomplish every household task the modern mom (still obviously at home, probably barefoot and pregnant) is assigned. That leaves her oodles of time for child-rearing responsibilities. But she’s also married to a rich, handsome white guy so she can definitely afford a nanny to take care of the kids (and for her husband to have an affair with), so in the end, apart from the 3 minutes per week of housework she has to do, the modern mom has no responsibilities. She doesn’t even have to sleep with her husband, because that’s what the nanny is for. She has almost nothing but free time, and she fills that time, I believe, with pillow fights, video games, and fancy dinners out.

Well, let me tell you, you could hardly find a better person to engage in pillow fights, play video games, eat out, and definitely not sleep with even the richest white guy than yours truly right here. I believe I can really get inside the head of the modern mom. I’m just the mom you’re looking for. So please consider me for Project Mom Casting, and watch your ratings go through the roof. Especially for the first pillow fight of the season when I announce that this time it’s shirts versus skins.

You’re welcome, Project Mom Casting.

Backpacking Dad
http://backpackingdad.com

Project Mom Casting

Everyone has a story to tell. Here’s mine.

I started blogging in 2007, around the same time I started my company. I am a Certified Parent Educator & Life Coach with a focus on co-parenting relationships and helping single moms and dads deal with the transition following a divorce or break-up. My own high-conflict divorce lasted nearly 18 months and I wanted to help others who were going through similar experiences.

Through the court, I requested to move with my son to Minnesota, where our family is, and where I would have the support I would need to raise a child on my own.

His dad fought the move and ultimately, the judge denied my request. I was working full-time and traveled quite a bit for my job. It was stressful, but I had no idea things were going to become even more challenging.

I was laid off at the end of 2008 after working 7 1/2 years for the same company. I have been unemployed ever since, focusing on this blog and struggling to build a career or find a job that could support me and my son. The legal bills haunted me and my financial situation got worse each month but the recognition & comments I received through this site and from my new “friends” were priceless.

2010: I recently married my long-distance boyfriend who is now my long-distance husband. We found out we were pregnant in May (I’m due January 2, 2011). I had no medical insurance at the time so getting married right away was a practical choice. We had talked about marriage prior to this, and it felt right to both of us.

My son started calling him “Dad” right away and is thrilled about his new baby brother.

As of today, we don’t know when my husband will be able to join us out here. Our goal is to have him transfer before the baby comes but even then, he’ll be commuting to OC which means he’ll be gone nearly 14 hours a day.

I think often about moving to Minnesota (where my husband and our families are) and if it would be possible to bring my son. I don’t have the resources to even begin that legal battle. Both scenarios feel selfish to me which is why I was relieved that my husband made the decision to move out here with us, well before we found out I was pregnant.

Blogging and interacting with others online helps me stay sane. I get online to escape. I don’t reveal too many details on this blog, but instead I try to focus on the positive things and memories that I will be happy to look back on in years to come. There are more and more of them every day.

My husband, son, family and friends surround me with so much inspiration that I can’t help but be excited about our future.

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home

Wedding Day

Today is a vreally* special day. I will marry my best friend, my son and I will welcome our favorite person into the family and our new life will start to take shape, a shape that resembles a heart, if you look closely.

The morning started with an Encouragement Feast between the three of us as we lay in bed together. An Encouragement Feast is when we share what it is we love most about each other. We laughed and hugged and my heart just about burst.  I’m saving my tears for the ceremony tonight.

An Encouragement Feast is something we will do on a regular basis, when someone requests it, on birthdays or special occasions and of course, when one of us needs a little cheering up. It’s something my son and I have done for quite some time and it does wonders for everyone involved.

This evening, the three of us (four if you count the baby) will stand together inside the Circle of Trust where we will share our wedding wishes, exchange rings and begin our future together.

It’s a vreally special day.

*Vreally (adj). My son made up this word which is a combination between very and really.

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home

Rules of Engagement

Most people who know me realize that I don’t do things in the traditional way. Not that I’m against tradition or feel the need to rebel all the time, but my way of doing things is simply, different.

When it comes to my relationship with Mr. Right, there’s really no right or wrong way to make our relationship work. It just does.

A few months ago, he decided to move here to San Diego. About a month later, we found out that we had a baby on the way. And just last month, we started to make plans to get married and make everything official.

Of course, because he’s still living in another state, it makes things a bit tricky, but for obvious reasons, we were both so excited to move forward with our lives and make plans to start our future together that we decided to get married now. As in this week. Less than a few days from the time I type this.

My son is very excited, too. He’ll be the ring bearer and wants to take pictures as well so we’re making it happen. We want this day to be just as memorable for him as it will be for us so the ceremony will be on the beach and the three of us will enjoy ice cream afterwards (his favorite treat).

And even though Mr. Right will have to hop on a plane and return home the very next day, we still couldn’t think of a better way to begin our new life together. It will be perfect.

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home