Special Topics in Being a Parent by S. Bear Bergman

S. Bear Bergman, illustrated by Saul Freedman-Lawson

Image | BOOK COVER: Special Topics in Being a Parent by S. Bear Bergman

Caption: Special Topics in Being a Parent is a book by S. Bear Bergman, illustrated by Saul Freedman-Lawson. (Arsenal Pulp Press)

An illustrated guide of practical parenting advice informed by queer experiences for anyone parenting outside the mainstream, from the author and illustrator of Special Topics in Being Human.
Being a parent is enormously joyful, but it is also an enormous amount of work. Parenting requires you to make dozens of decisions a day, every one of which in some way shapes the person your child will grow into. It can be difficult to know in these moments whether you're on the right track. Progressive parents especially can feel adrift when caregiving in ways that were not modelled for them.
From S. Bear Bergman - advice columnist, educator, and queer dad with fifteen years of parenting under his belt - comes Special Topics in Being a Parent, a witty and insightful collection of child-rearing tips for those in search of realistic ideas about screens and lunches that don't come with a side order of judgment. Using his own choices - and errors - by way of example, Bergman offers suggestions for various stages of the parenting journey, from asking "Are we ready to have a kid?" to talking with children about diversity and difference, to questioning gender expectations placed on both kids and parents. With plenty of humour and compassion, and featuring charming illustrations by Saul Freedman-Lawson, this guide helps parents to live their parenting values while enabling their kids to grow their capacities, understand the world, and above all, feel connected and loved. (From Arsenal Pulp Press)
S. Bear Bergman is an author, educator and public speaker. He has documented his experience as a trans parent and writes the advice column "Asking Bear." He is also the founder and publisher of the book press Flamingo Rampant.
Saul Freedman-Lawson is an illustrator, zine-maker and educator. He makes art about queerness, transness, Judaism and childhood.