Romper

Margaret e Jacobsen

Born, adopted, and raised in Southern California, now residing in Portland, OR. Mother of two, co-parenting with my ex-husband. In love with an activist, writing and taking photos, usually while eating burritos. I believe dancing can heal all the blues.
Sorry, Perez, Hoping Your Son Is Straight Won't Change A Culture That Fears Difference
Being a parent, I want to protect my children from anything harmful or painful in the world. I want things to be easier for them than they have been for me, but I'm aware that no matter what I wish for them, or attempt to keep them from, they will…
By Margaret e Jacobsen
What Celebrating Hanukkah For The First Time Has Taught Me
This year, my kids and I are celebrating four different holidays: St. Lucia, in honor of my children's Scandinavian side; Kwanza, for their black side; Christmas, because that's the holiday I grew up celebrating; and Hanukkah, because my partner,…
By Margaret e Jacobsen
A Letter To My Ex On Father’s Day
Dear Ex-Husband, You are the best father I know. When I fell in love with you, I knew you were the person I wanted to have a family with, build a home with, and raise children with. 9 years later, we are still raising our children together — but we…
By Margaret e Jacobsen
TBH, I'm Uncomfortable With My Kids Having White Friends
Once, I was at a friend's house with my two kids and her two children. At one point, the oldest of her two kids walked up to my daughter and said, "Why did God give you this gross hair? Why didn't he give you princess hair like mine?" I just stared…
By Margaret e Jacobsen
I'm Non-Binary, & Here's How I Explain It To My Kids
Last year, I came out to my children as non-binary, which means that my gender identity doesn't fall within our current socially accepted gender binary of two genders: male and female. My pronouns are they/them, not she/her. It's not because I don't…
By Margaret e Jacobsen
My Kids Make Me Feel Proud To Be Polyamorous
Over the last four years, my family dynamic has changed because of divorce and polyamory. I'd always wanted a large family, but I believed was only attainable by having lots of kids, and polyamory was never something I thought of because I grew up…
By Margaret e Jacobsen
As A Mom Of 2, I Think Giving Birth Is So Gross
The fact that women are able to give birth and bring tiny humans into the world is a beautiful, amazing phenomena. However, I think the actual act of giving birth is not-so beautiful. I think giving birth is pretty gross. And I say this as someone…
By Margaret e Jacobsen
Actually, 'Lemonade' Already Won Album Of The Year
Last night at the 59 annual Grammy awards, one of the greatest living entertainers of all time did not win Album of the Year. At first, the fact that Beyoncé lost the Album of the Year cloaked me in a lot of different feelings and responses. I…
By Margaret e Jacobsen
I'm A Poly Mom, & Other Parents Shame Me For It
Coming out as polyamorous was just like coming out as queer. It was who I had been all along: I just didn't realize it until I was 25 years old. I didn't come out in any formal way, and I didn't make any announcements on social media. I simply…
By Margaret e Jacobsen
It's Hard For Me To Talk To My White Friends About Being A Black Mom In America
There are moments when I'm at the playground with my children and our friends when I have to remind my children not to pretend to be playing with guns, while the white mother beside me lets her children carry on playing. This happened last summer,…
By Margaret e Jacobsen