Tomas talks about the inherent ironies in being asked to read his zine at a mother's day event the same weekend he finds out his son is going to Juvie. He struggles with the possibility that perhaps what he considers a radical parenting approach might actually just be passivity. Also explored is the idea of 'Queerspawn' a term sometimes applied to children of LGBTQI parents, a personal home birthing story, and the propensity for even children raised in non-violent tv-free households to whack each other with sticks.

Another awesome issue of Rad Dad! This time editor Tomas opens the zine with conversations he's had with others while trying to sell his zine. Questions like, "How does changing diapers change patriarchy?" and "What should I say to my son about pot?'' keep the editor plenty busy! There's also a reflective toilet-themed section, about peeing like a boy, children's poop humor, and a weekend spent with his 15 year old in Mexico in which finding a bathroom became the utmost priority. There's a piece on being the only radical at the playground, and making space for parents at radical events. Solid as usual!

Rad Dad is a zine by and for rad(ical) dad(ical)s! This issue is mostly essays but also contains excerpts from radical parenting message boards, and some neat contacts and resources. Several of the stories focus on anger and how it's often transfered through generations, with particular attention paid to the tumultuous transition into adolescence. There's also a discussion on toddler aggression, and parenting with political consciousness. Okay, enough with the vocabulary words, basically, this zine is great! And it says in the back they're accepting submissions for #7, so rad dads, get in touch!

Rad Dad #7 is a response to the latest trend: Fatherhood. Or rather, the new spin on fatherhood in America. If you haven't noticed, everywhere you turn there are books, magazines, movies, and news programs, all about being a hip dad. The problem is that they all come from the same perspective. White middle class men who've had to find a balance between their wild, cool ways, and the "un-cool" job of parenting. In this issue, Tomas expresses his views on the subject, and reminds us that parenting isn't just an unwanted obligation. Or at least, it shouldn't be. He reviews some "cool-dad" books, like "Alternadad," and "Punk Rock Dad," written by the singer of Pennywise (which we read here at HQ, and yes, it really is that bad). And of course there are solid contributor pieces about Green Parenting, being Jewish, and the transition from pre-teen into full-fledged teenager.

More parenting info from a fatherly perspective. This issue has a funny and inspirational story about making the best of an almost disastrous family outing. When Carvell and his family go to the nature park, they find it closed, but creativity saves the day. "Men and Babies" brings up the Male Priviledge checklist, specifically that if a man parents even moderately well, he will be considered an extraordinary parent. And Tom ways in with a piece about learning to speak in new ways that aren't patriarchal, specifically the telling of birth stories. Rad Dads get in touch.

In Rad Dad #9 Tomas talks about gender perceptions and parenting. That the partner that didn't actually have the baby is seen as the father. And a father is always seen as taking the backseat, whether they are a woman, transgendered, or a man. Tomas put a call out in the last issue, and people came through with their birth stories. Partners talk about dangerous births, delayed pregnancies, C-sections, and other scary experiences. All of the stories are told with such a love for their children and an emotional protectiveness. It's all the love and fear that comes with welcoming a child into the world. As always, Tomas is looking for submissions so get in touch!