Being a father has been amazing thus far (I know its very early on) and our little girl is absolutely fantastic. I look forward to every day with her because something will always be new and exciting and she has the opportunity to be anything she wants to be.
This is where the nature vs. nurture argument might come into play as I believe that Kacey already has her own personality but it is certainly developed by my and my wife's rearing. So here's what I am hoping:
- Kacey is going to be athletic and graceful, love comic books, and do exceptional in school. She'll be full of sugar & spice & everything nice. But she will give all the boys a run for their money, beating them in sprints, dodgeball, and whatever else may happen.
Nothing in the above statement should come as a surprise coming from her father, except for the love of comic books. Other children may join our family and one might even be a boy, but I wanted a girl and I want her to be a little tomboy. And I plan on starting her early on comic books.
Since she has been born, I have been looking into comic books in a different light, looking at the portrayal of women and the values that could be imparted via the stories. She might not understand the artwork for awhile. Some of the all ages books out there look great and I'm excited at what is coming (saving that for its own post!), especially from The Astonish Factory. I even like where Mike Kunkel's head is at with his blog, calling it The Astonish Factory's Center for Babbling & Scribbles (I salute the terminology and goals as a fellow scribbler and occasional babbler).
In the same token, I have been saving a post in my rss aggregator because I thought it was great about Amanda Bynes and her latest movie Sydney White, in which she asked that her character be an avid comic book fan because it would help her relate better to the seven dorks of the story. It turns out that she herself is a fan and grew up reading Archie comic books. Beyond that, Amanda has not had any run-ins with the law, time in rehab, that we know of, is pretty funny and seems like a good role model for girls growing up, unlike many other stars her age, Lindsey, Paris, or Britney. And that is something I want for my daughter.
I think that Vaneta Rogers, the author of the Bynes post wrote a nice piece that gives me hope that Hollywood will continue to produce media that gives out positive messages and that stars like Bynes get more spotlight for their accessibility and right values, plus she reads comic books!
As I started, I have high hopes and aspire to be a good dad that can help Kacey along her way, and that I can find quality helps on the comic book rack, the movie screen, and of course the local bookstore to inspire her to great things.
