Don't Let Dads Be Left Behind

I am Marc Mitchell and I am a not a man. Well, good thing I don't believe everything I read on the Internet. Why was I called this? Because I expressed a desire for change. What change could be so wrong that I got insults hurled at me? I am a member of a group of Dad bloggers and we are asking amazon.com to change its discount service for childcare products from Amazon Mom to Amazon Family. Wow,  just like it is in every other country.

Image Courtesy of Chris Routly of Daddy Doctrines

 Why on Earth would it matter to me what they call it?  It's a great program and I should just shut up and take the discount. Well here's the problem, if it’s was called Amazon Dad would Moms have a problem with that? You bet they would. However it's not even as petty as that sounds. Amazon is also subtlety saying moms should take care of the kids. That it is your job, Moms, so here have our discount. The more complex argument is that every family doesn't have a Mom or Dad. Why can't it just be family? Every family, after all, is a family no matter the dynamics.

Why the sudden urge for change? It's about one man, Oren Miller, who brought together over one thousand Dad bloggers and inspired us to be better men, fathers, and writers. Sadly, Oren passed away over the weekend after a vicious battle with lung cancer at the young age of 42. We have taken up a cause he was passionate about. We fight for change in his honor.

Amazon has been absent from the campaign and ignored every tweet, email, and phone call. Today I called because I wanted to know. Why the different names?  First, I spoke with a gentleman in customer service who was unable to answer my question.  I asked to be transferred and was sent to a supervisor. The supervisor told me a bunch of noncommittal rhetoric about Amazon Mom being for everyone. I then struck a nerve with my response. "It’s like me, a Dad, being told that I can use the changing table in the ladies room." That's the point when I was no longer speaking to Amazon Service; I was speaking to a parent. She agreed with me. Her boyfriend had run into the same problem. She then told me something very interesting. There is a reason the United States is the only country using “Amazon Mom”.  Government policies in other countries prevented it from being called “Amazon Mom”.

So I urge you to sign the petition, be heard and demand change. You can find the campaign on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook with #AmazonFamilyUS. I look forward to Amazon Family. Lilo said it best “Ohana" means "family." "Family" means "no one gets left behind." So let’s not leave Dads behind.

 

Dads 4 Oren

I sit here looking at the blank foggy screen contemplating how to approach the subject. Cancer. Hearing it mentioned sends shivers down my spine. Every family has a story, and some have multiple. My wife and I used middle names as tributes to family that meant a lot to us. Sadly all three middle names have a story. 

My online family has a story as well. It's a tale about a man, he was a blogger and a father. Oren Miller was, is and will forever be an inspiration.  Although I never met him we interacted in SAHD groups as well as the group he created for dad bloggers. He united the masses from worlds away in a group one thousand fathers strong. 

Back in June he discovered he had the fight on on his hands. Stage four lung cancer. He scrapped and clawed at it bravely and gracefully for 8 months. He succumbed last night and we morn today in honor of him. He leaves behind a wife and two kids that will forever be in our hearts for sharing a great man with us. We will honor him with how we treat or spouse and parent our kids. Coca cola poured coke on a the Internet to spread good vibes, Oren pour himself on the Internet with his words and inspired others to do the same. 

My online family has shed tears and memories are pouring forth. Oren Miller you are a rare bird. On that note Oren enjoy a movie with my awesome Aunt Robin, a drink with my Uncle Jim and dinner prepared by my grandparents, but watch out it may not by kosher.