I'm still learning

woof woof 🦴❤

"oh, i don't think that's just for girls. it's pink, but anybody can like pink."

"oh yeah, purple is a great color! colors are for everybody."

"you're right-- i am a girl. that means i have a strong body just like a boy, and i can [climb/use a drill/take out the trash] with my arms."

"hm i don't think we're letting private parts make a decision about this toy."

"if other kids give you a hard time, you can just say you like this toy (or this color) and that's why. if anyone is rude to you, it might hurt, but they're the ones being wrong."

"i think it's cool that we both have eyes that can cry if we're feeling overwhelmed or sad. it helps us communicate how we feel."

"some kids might tell you this is for girls, but it's really just for people. we can have fun and play with anything safe that's interesting. it's sad that some kids don't have adults that teach them that."

"it's important to play and learn all kinds of skills. what if you find out you like to cook? what if someday you have a friend who needs help?"

"you know who buys the MOST glitter? people who make paint for boats. guys who go fishing spend more time with glitter than anyone else."

"it's divided into girls and boys because some grownups maybe care more than they should about colors. but that's not a real rule."

like. you gotta prepare them to stand up for themselves and you gotta normalize *recognizing* and dismissing those comments, or they WILL start to win out. walk your toddler sons or nephews down all the toy aisles. let them hold a baby doll. take your girls through the hot wheels and nerf sections.

and don't make the mistake of swinging to the other extreme. trying to talk a four year old boy into the pink version, or trying to talk a four year old girl out of wanting a frilly dress are JUST as gendering. you're sending signals that they should ignore their own preferences to appease an adult's preferred worldview, and they're going to equally cave when it's in support of an ideology you don't like. let them gravitate toward what they like and give them the language to recognize it as personal preference-- to identify and disregard comments, or defend others-- even if their preference is 100% mainstream.

the goal isn't to make sure little boys have pink toys and play house, or that little girls get construction tools and wear blue.

the secondary goal is to strip away the gender-signaling in toys and prepare kids to stand up for OTHER HUMANS.

the primary goal is to equip kids to play and wear what they like without shame or fear.

and it's so fucking sad it starts so early, but it can work both ways-- you can have kids going home from the same daycare suddenly equipped by peers to say, NO I DO WANT THE TOOLBOX FOR MY BIRTHDAY, NOAH SAYS HIS MOM FIXES EVERYTHING IN HER HOUSE and I LIKE THE ONE WITH FLOWERS, SOPHIE SAYS HER DAD LOVES FLOWERS.

maybe this means liam in kindergarten spends most of his playtime with baby dolls and glitter stickers. or maybe it means liam plays with monster trucks and wears red shirts with basketballs, but will tell a peer, "oh it's cool that you like pink. is that your favorite color? i like red but pink icing is my favorite on cake." and it's because a beloved uncle or big brother or parent said, "oh strawberry icing is MY favorite, too! i always want pink icing on my cake. the cake doesn't care if i'm a boy or a girl."

or maybe liam had an experience like my five year old, where he was going across a construction store parking lot in his bright pink crocs and a man tumbled out of his SUV fifty feet away to stick a leg in the air and yell, "HEY, WE BOTH HAVE PINK CROCS!" just to be nice. because pink is for humans.

And I am really really being driven insane

Her mother and I are almost opposite people and she is constantly rubbing me the wrong way

Almost everything she does at this point pisses me off, even when it's literally nothing bad

Take a break literally anywhere else

And I am really really being driven insane

Her mother and I are almost opposite people and she is constantly rubbing me the wrong way

Almost everything she does at this point pisses me off, even when it's literally nothing bad

Take a break literally anywhere else

Here's a quick side by side comparison between what Trump has said and Jesus has taught, for anyone looking for political leaders that reflect the values of Jesus, why are you supporting Trump? Below is a quick crash course on Trump's brazen violations of Christian teachings for the purpose of this article's introduction. Additional examples can be found at the article's closing.

“Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” - Jesus Trump brags about wealth, intelligence, and accomplishments (“Nobody knows more than me…”) Trump claims he has never needed to ask for forgiveness—contrary to Jesus’ message that repentance is central to salvation.

“Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” - Jesus "Turn the other cheek.” - Jesus Trump publicly insults and belittles opponents (e.g., “Crooked Hillary,” “Sleepy Joe,” “Pocahontas”). Trump encourages retaliation: "If someone hits you, hit them back ten times harder."

“I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” — Jesus “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for the least of these… you did for me.” - Jesus Trump enforced child separation at the border. Trump used dehumanizing language about immigrants, inaccurately painting them all as criminals/rapists Trump sought to ban Muslims from entering the U.S., contradicting the ethic of welcoming outsiders.

“You cannot serve both God and money.” — Jesus “Blessed are the poor in spirit.” — Jesus Trump boasts about his wealth constantly. Trump called avoiding taxes “smart.” Trump marketed a prosperity-driven gospel persona, not a service-oriented one.

“Let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’; anything more comes from the evil one.” — Jesus “The truth will set you free.” — Jesus Trump has made tens of thousands of documented false or misleading claims while in office. Trump denies statements he made on record or video. Trump routinely spreads unsubstantiated conspiracy theories.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” — Jesus Trump encouraged supporters to “fight like hell” before the January 6th Capitol riot. Trump frequently uses divisive language to inflame racial, political, or cultural conflict.

“The greatest among you will be your servant.” — Jesus “I am among you as one who serves.” — Jesus Trump frequently demands loyalty and admiration. Trump has said, “I alone can fix it,” reflecting a savior complex. Trump rarely demonstrates the servant-heart ethos that defines Christ’s example.

“Forgive seventy times seven times.” — Jesus “Judge not, lest ye be judged.” — Jesus Trump rarely (if ever) admits fault or asks forgiveness. Trump keeps long grudges (e.g., John McCain, former allies who break from him). Trump uses Christian symbolism politically but resists the deeper spiritual virtues it represents.

“Beware of practicing your righteousness before others to be seen by them.” — Jesus Trump has a photo-op with Bible in front of church after clearing protesters Trump appeals to Evangelicals while showing little evidence of spiritual transformation. Trump said “nobody reads the Bible more than me,” despite patently obvious unfamiliarity.

“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.” — Jesus “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” — Jesus Many Christians openly equate Trump as the “chosen one” or prophetic figure sent by God. This clearly flirts with idolatry, elevating him to Jesus like Messiah status.

Jesus’ teachings emphasize humility, love, truth, compassion, and service. Trump’s public life and rhetoric often reflect the opposite values, pride, division, self-glorification, and disregard for truth or the poor.

This doesn’t mean he’s beyond forgiveness or growth, no one is. But aligning Trump’s character or presidency with Christ's teachings is, at best, a serious stretch and at worst, a profound misrepresentation of Jesus' message.

You cannot honor the teachings of Jesus while also supporting Trump. These are mutually exclusive allegiances. By his nature, Trump stands in direct opposition to the spirit and teachings of Jesus. He embodies the very behaviors and attitudes—pride, cruelty, judgment, and egoic dominance that Jesus warned us against.

Some Christians who profess to follow Christ attempt to justify their support for Trump by pointing to one issue: abortion. They argue that his anti-abortion stance validates their allegiance, framing it as a moral imperative. He then receives total license to trample on everyone's civil and human rights by way of his support on this one issue. And while the sanctity of life is undeniably a serious matter, one Jesus would have spoken to with deep care and wisdom, it does not excuse aligning with a political figure who perpetuates hate, division, and cruelty in nearly every other domain. All explicitly violate the most fundamental teachings of Jesus, someone who was undoubtedly inspired by the Holy Spirit to advocate peace, love and teach the method to accessing Heaven within us during our lifetime.

This is the moral bait-and-switch that modern right-wing Christianity has mastered: using one seemingly righteous cause to justify a host of deeply unrighteous actions. The defense of unborn children becomes a convenient moral shield—one that’s used to excuse policies and rhetoric that marginalize suffering immigrants, mock and judge the poor, deny aid to the sick, and condemn marginalized communities. These actions are profoundly at odds with the teachings of Christ, who embodied empathy, compassion, unity, and unconditional love. His message was clear: we are all part of the same human family, regardless of our background or circumstance—a truth our egos often resist, but one our spirits are called to embrace.

In this moral equation, hatred and becomes an acceptable collateral—so long as it is in service of protecting the unborn. But Jesus never gave us permission to weaponize righteousness. He never instructed us to save one life by dehumanizing another. He never said to defend the unborn while turning our backs on the born, the hungry, the homeless, the refugee, the prisoner, the outcast.

Modern right-wing Christians have selectively edited Jesus’ teachings, choosing the parts that align with their political priorities while discarding the rest. In doing so, they betray the very heart of the Gospel. Trump becomes not just a political figure in this dynamic, but a vessel through which judgment, greed, and division are sanctified under the guise of a single moral stance.

Ironically, the modern political left, though often at odds with the traditional Christian position on abortion, has embodied far more of Jesus’ teachings in nearly every other regard: welcoming the stranger, caring for the sick, advocating for the marginalized, and promoting peace and compassion. Their inconsistency on the issue of life before birth is real—but so too is the glaring inconsistency from those on the right who disregard the protection and sanctity of life after birth. Both sides of the political spectrum need to modify their policies in the greater interest of life, peace and love.

If the mainstream left were to ever concede on this one issue, acknowledging the complexity and moral ambiguity of the weight of life in the womb, it would dismantle the single pillar propping up the morally bankrupt political party that uses unborn lives as leverage to justify hatred and domination, and keeps them in power as a result.

For any sincere follower of Jesus, this should be a wake-up call. You cannot walk with Christ while marching to the beat of a man who contradicts everything Jesus lived and died to show us. The time has come to choose—not just a political side, but a spiritual allegiance. As Jesus said, “You cannot serve two masters.” Not only is it unhealthy to direct all your worship and praise towards Trump, but also to do so towards a man who violates all the tenets of the faith you say you are aligned with. I have yet to see a single argument that convincingly argues that Trump's policies and agenda are in full alignment with the teachings of Jesus.

So to recap and wrap up,

To anyone reading this who has pledged allegiance and loyalty to Donald Trump, it's important to seriously reflect on how many of Jesus’ fundamental teachings Trump routinely violates. That fact alone should give any Christian pause.

Many Christians support the Republican party primarily because of its stance on abortion—a deeply personal and moral issue, and frankly, the only one on which I find myself aligned with them. However, a single issue cannot justify ignoring or trampling over every other message that Jesus delivered—especially his calls to welcome the stranger, care for the sick, uplift the meek, and provide for the poor and desperate. These are all expressions of compassion and empathy, values that lie at the very heart of Jesus' ministry but are too often overlooked or dismissed by many who claim to follow him.

It’s also worth noting that 22% to 25% of Democrats oppose abortion as well, proving that this is not a clear-cut, party-line issue. This issue cannot be reduced to a single political party's position.

On the topic of LGBTQ+ acceptance, Jesus explicitly taught us not to judge others. Yet far too often, Christians pass harsh judgment on people whose circumstances, orientation, or identity we do not fully understand. The truth is, many are born this way, and regardless of the cause, it presents a powerful opportunity to practice genuine love and empathy—two cornerstones of Jesus' teachings.

Sadly, I’ve witnessed Christians openly express hatred or even call for violence against members of this community. Such behavior is not only profoundly un-Christlike, it’s a major reason many are driven away from the faith. They want no part in a movement that exhibits such unrestrained hostility—especially when those attitudes go unchecked or, worse, are encouraged by Christian leaders.

There are many churches that do not judge and actually embrace LGBTQ+ individuals without judgment, they should feel proud to be part of a community that strives to reflect the love of Christ in both word and deed. That’s the kind of Christianity worth standing behind. One that actually practices what Jesus taught which is not judging others, especially not judging others superficially regardless of their character.

It has always been a major red flag that Trump’s appeals to the Christian community were never rooted in genuine reflection of Christian values, but rather in opportunism—such as branding bibles with his name and image and selling them to his most loyal supporters, turning faith into a marketing tool for personal profit.

That being said, these are observable truths about Donald Trump, not judgments. His consistent promotion and encouragement of division is undeniable—and such division must be challenged, whether that division comes from Trump or anyone else across the political spectrum. Still, if you are not a Trump supporter, it is equally important to release any lingering resentment or hostility toward him or his followers. Many of his supporters—some of whom are openly hateful individuals like Klansmen and white supremacists—have been drawn in by rhetoric that fosters anger, financial frustration and alienation. It's important to express sympathy towards all his supporters who are arguably hitting rock bottom, and to ask the holy spirit to bless them and help them overcome such brazen unapologetic hatred.

Regardless of where you stand politically, it is critically important to resist contributing to cultural or societal division. While Trump has become a source for much of this division, that does not absolve individuals on the political left from engaging in similarly harmful rhetoric or behavior. Hate and division, in all their forms, must be discouraged.

The reality is, Trump has skillfully exploited the frustrations of the lower and middle class to amass power. This dynamic must be acknowledged if we hope to move forward as a nation. I pass no judgment on those he has influenced or misled. Instead, I extend peace, blessings, and love—not only to his supporters, but even to Trump himself. I ask that they be blessed to overcome such hateful and vitriolic beliefs.

Below are a brief examples of the teachings of Jesus that Trump routinely violates:

1. “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39)

Violation:

Family separation policy at the U.S.-Mexico border, which led to thousands of children being taken from their parents, often with no clear reunification plan.

Reduction in refugee admissions and harsh asylum restrictions.

2. “Blessed are the merciful” (Matthew 5:7)

Violation:

Cruel rhetoric toward immigrants (“rapists,” “animals,” “invasions”)

Indifference toward the suffering of refugees and undocumented families

Policies that deprived the vulnerable of protection and care

3. “I was a stranger and you welcomed me” (Matthew 25:35)

Violation:

Muslim travel ban targeting people from several predominantly Muslim countries

Drastic reduction in refugee resettlement and refugee caps

Anti-immigrant nationalism contrary to hospitality and inclusion

4. “Blessed are the peacemakers” (Matthew 5:9)

Violation:

Escalatory rhetoric with North Korea (“fire and fury,” “rocket man”)

Use of violence to disperse peaceful protesters in Lafayette Square for a photo-op with a Bible

Fomenting division and hostility, rather than reconciliation

5. “Do not store up treasures on earth…” (Matthew 6:19–21)

Violation:

Massive tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations through the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

Policies benefiting the ultra-rich while slashing public services and safety nets for the poor

6. “You cannot serve both God and money” (Matthew 6:24)

Violation:

Cabinet filled with billionaires and corporate executives

Prioritized business interests and deregulation over environmental and public health protections

Used presidency to promote Trump Organization properties

7. “Whatever you did for the least of these… you did for me” (Matthew 25:40)

Violation:

Proposed cuts to Medicaid, food stamps, and housing assistance

Failed pandemic response disproportionately harming the poor and marginalized

Open disdain for prisoners, disabled people, and the homeless

8. “Turn the other cheek” / “Love your enemies” (Matthew 5:39, 5:44)

Violation:

Public insults and name-calling of critics, journalists, women, political opponents, and foreign leaders

Encouraging political violence (“I’ll pay your legal fees”)

Relentless vengeance and score-settling, contrary to Christ’s calls for grace and restraint

9. “Do not judge, or you too will be judged” (Matthew 7:1)

Violation:

Harsh, public condemnation of anyone perceived as a threat

Demonization of entire groups (immigrants, Muslims, Democrats, journalists)

Hypocritical moral posturing without introspection

10. “Render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s” (Matthew 22:21)

Violation:

Encouraged Christian nationalism and blurred the line between church and state

Used religion performatively (e.g., holding a Bible for a photo-op)

Cultivated a political identity where Christianity became a partisan badge, not a moral compass

11. “Let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’” (Matthew 5:37)

Violation:

Documented dishonesty: Over 30,000 false or misleading claims during his presidency ([source: Washington Post fact checker])

Constant shifting narratives, exaggerations, and gaslighting

12. “The first shall be last, and the last shall be first” (Matthew 20:16)

Violation:

Policies and rhetoric that glorified power, wealth, dominance, and “winning” at all costs

Marginalized the very people Jesus taught us to lift up—the poor, sick, imprisoned, and oppressed

13. “Do not be like the hypocrites…” (Matthew 6:5–6)

Violation:

Performative religiosity: aligning with white evangelical leaders while exhibiting little to no alignment with Christ-like humility or service

Public displays of piety without substance or integrity

i will say that all the cooking instructions for veggies are pretty much the same (season with salt + pepper and roast on the top oven rack at 425F), but if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.

that being said, it also introduced me to methods i wasn’t at all expecting. i would have never thought to use cream cheese in my meat sauce, and now all my friends are constantly asking me to make my special rigatoni.

"Cream sauce base" = make a roux, add milk according to how much cream sauce base you're supposed to have (ex: 4 oz cream sauce base = 4 oz milk)

"1 packet stock concentrate" = either one tablespoon Better than Bullion or, if you want to be really accurate, Savory Choice Broth Concentrate packets are available on Amazon and allegedly that's what they use

"Italian Heat Spice"/"Blackening Spice"/"Fry Seasoning"/etc.: I promise you someone on Reddit has figured out what spices they use and in what proportions for each mix, if it's not just a straight up branded mix (like McCormick Grill Mates Brown Sugar Bourbon spice mix)

"Roasted Garlic Herb Butter" (and other compound butters, like truffle butter) = they're literally Epicurean branded butters, they do not hide this, you can buy them online

"Sweet Soy Glaze"/"Ponzu sauce"/"Hoisin sauce" = literally Kikkoman brand condiments: they don't hide that, either

Anyways the biggest donors to these nonprofits are usually banks because they're that good at helping people with finances/getting out of debt, and can help you across various companies (like if you have credit cards with x but a car loan with y, etc. they can help you get hardship arrangements with everyone all at once, but your bank is limited only to themselves).

https://www.nfcc.org/ various DMP's can be found through the NFCC, and almost all of them have a free consultation and most of their websites also just have free financial advice or blogs or whatever. Some of them offer specific additional kinds of advice or help - retirement planning, home buying, etc.

Editing to add:

My advice is USA specific but lots of other countries have non-profit credit advising/counseling programs of some kind

Here is the (government) consumer financial protection bureau website article What is Credit Counseling?

The relevant bit: "Most credit counselors offer services through in-person meetings at local offices, online, or on the telephone. To get started, you can try the Financial Counseling Association of America or the National Foundation for Credit Counseling. You can also view of a list of approved credit counselors through the U.S. Department of Justice." The FCAA is the other licensing agency.

I contacted my bank for a meeting with an advisor for a rundown of how finances/credit cards/etc work when I became financially independent, because nobody teaches these things in high school. I also met with a financial advisor when I was about to get engaged because my spouse and I wanted advice about navigating marriage and separate/shared expenses(his MtG card collection vs our rent).