Raising Kids Beyond The Binary
I have hit that part of human development where stretching is a necessity for me to be able to maintain my posture, balance, and ability to keep up with my children. When I began this practice, I used the wonderful internet to get me started, but I needed extra help, especially when I had a shoulder injury a year and a half ago and lost most of my mobility in my left arm. With the help of a good orthopedist and a good physical therapist, I was able to learn new techniques and properly stretch myself daily. I could have stayed with the stretches I had learned myself through my limited research, but if I had, I would not have healed, found new ways to do the job properly, and been able to conduct myself in middle age with the flexibility and endurance that I need and want. There are so many topics that I do not have enough information on and I need the experts to teach and guide me. I want to do well, but without help, I’m never going to get to where I need to be. Enter Raising Kids Beyond The Binary by Jamie Bruesehoff, a book on a topic that is near and dear to my heart; raising and nurturing children in a world that needs help working towards fully embracing all of God’s children.
Raising Kids Beyond the Binary is written by the mother of a transgender child (now youth). Bruesehoff writes about her family’s journey, about all that they have learned, and about all that they need the world to know so that all children, including our LGBTQI+ thrive. It was written to fill in the necessary information that people need in order to advocate and plan ahead for inclusivity. It was written so that we can learn from mistakes and pitfalls made by others that this family had had to navigate. It was written so our brains can be better equipped to see biases, do the work towards eliminating them, and create default thought patterns that are inclusive. It was written so we can have the proper language. It was written to be that personal guide that we all need when we need private tutoring.
Why do you need this book in your ministry setting? It’s an invaluable read for those that make decisions in your congregation. There are many nuances that mean the difference between inclusivity and unknowing exclusion. This resource pointed out so many small tweaks to signage, language, and other passive conventions that helped me repattern my ways of creating space for all of God’s children in ministry. (e.g. Calling a bathroom all-gender rather than gender neutral or explicitly stating formal attire includes dress pants, collared shirts, skirts, and dresses while not stating who wears which garments.) Looking for a thought-provoking read for parents, caregivers, and grandparents? Here you go. This would make a great selection for an adult book club, too. Children and youth ministry leaders need this book in their libraries, too. There are many possibilities for use- I wouldn’t hesitate one second to use your ministry budget to snag a copy (or several).
