Raising My Rainbow: Adventures in Raising a Fabulous, Gender Creative Son - Lori Duron, Neil Patrick Harris, David Burtka
Was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.From the moment I read this book's title and saw those awesome pink laces, I had to read it. I wanted to know her story. And I was not disappointed. This book was terrific-tabulous! I can't say enough good about it.So this woman has a son named C.J. who is "gender nonconforming", which simply means he's a boy that likes girl things and rejects boy things. He loves the Disney Princesses, especially Rapunzel. His favorite color is pink, and he plays with Barbies. What do I think about that? FAB-U-LOUS!!!At first, his mother and father worry about the stigma it will bring, and it did bother me that they were so hung up on him being gay. But everyone is different, and they did grow out of it. They love their little boy no matter what. It was so sad to read about all the friends they lost because of their openness about C.J.'s gender creativeness, but they also learned who their real friends were. I related to that boy more than I care to admit. I was, mostly, raised by my gunsmith father. I wore camo, went hunting and helped sight rifles. I was always made fun of for being a tomboy, but it's what I loved being. That didn't make me wrong. It made me different. Unique. I love being unique. To this day, I am still the unique tomboy.Oh, hey! Check out little me! Aw! I was cute at one time. LOLAnyway, C.J.'s brother breaks my heart because he loves his little brother so much, and he catches Hell for it. He is the subject of bullying, teasing and rejection. I wish the world would learn to just love and accept everyone, not try to destroy what's different.This book touched my heart. I cried a little, laughed a lot, and felt myself hurt for the entire family. I found the mother, at times, a little passive in her decisions. And she worried way more than is healthy. But in the end, she always did what was best for her son. She got him Princess parties, dance classes and pretty dresses to wear. She threw herself into loving and accepting her little girly boy. Even the macho dad supported everything his son wanted to do, right down to wearing heels and clip-on earrings. I loved this book. I loved this family.I think so many people could learn from this story. People need to stop being ugly and start being supportive. Toys are toys. Kids are kids. Stop trying to make kids conform to what you think they should be. Just let them be kids!And here I thought I'd never find a reason to use this gif:I stand corrected.