It's football season, and as many of you may have heard me mention on t.v., I'm married to a football fanatic.
My husband Taylor has set up our basement especially for Sunday afternoon splendor: A 53-inch flatscreen, reclining couch, and microwave standing by on top of the bar for emergency re-popping of popcorn.
And it's looking like Taylor has added a new prop to his Sunday afternoon routine this year: Our three-month-old son, Noah.
As Taylor packs up blankets, snacks and soda for his trek down into his "manhole", I've noticed that he now scoops the boy up, throws him over his shoulder, and carts the baby off to the basement as well.
Which would be fine... except he never did this with our six-year-old daughter, Ashley.
In fact, last Sunday Ashley was hanging out in the den, playing with her dolls. I watched from the kitchen as Taylor grabbed the baby boy from his bassinet, and left the girl behind.
And then it dawned on me --- Taylor has never even attempted to watch football with Ashley.
I mean, don't get me wrong --- he's an amazing dad.
He'll watch all the tween t.v. shows and movies with her. Take her bike riding. Take her to dance lessons, swimming class, birthday parties, playdates...
But when it comes to football, baby girl is on her own.
And yet he grabs the three-month-old boy for football viewing. Our sweet son who --- as adorably alert as he is --- doesn't even know that he's on planet Earth yet.
So I confronted my better half: "Why haven't you ever watched football with Ashley?"
He looked at me. "She doesn't like football."
"How do you know that?" I pressed.
He smiled. I simmered. And then Ashley intervened:
"Because I don't like football, Mommy. I want to be a cheerleader!"
Good grief.
So, whether Ashley likes football or not, I will be insisting Taylor take both children down to the basement this weekend for football viewing. And she can practice her cheerleading between plays.
Because l believe lessons on gender equality begins at home. Even if the issue is only football...
I want my son and daughter to be on an equal playing field.
