Andrew Hook is an incredible father.
Not only is he creative and inventive – he’s willing to stand up for his child and let him grow into his own person.
Andrew posted photos on Reddit last week of a homemade play kitchen he made for his little boy Owen. Owen, who just turned 2 this month, is obsessed with playing in the kitchen, watching his parents prepare food and all the ins and outs of hobs, pots and pans.
Andrew decided for Owen’s second birthday he was going to put the time and care into building a play kitchen out of a $20 entertainment centre he fetched out of goodwill.
Documenting the process for other parents to copy, Hook was surprised when his generous gift was torn apart by trolls.
Branded ‘gay’, ‘girly’ and insulting his decision, Hook decided to address the negativity in a response post:
“Well, going off of comments I have received both online, and in person regarding my wife and I’s decision to make our son a kitchen play set and several “daughter” comments and “but he is a boy”, let me be perfectly blunt.
F*ck you. Any time we go to our local science center, or to the children’s museum, he always wants to play in the kitchen playset area. He always wants to watch us cook and likes being involved, so we thought this would be a good idea.
Furthermore, if my kid wanted a barbie doll I would get it for him. If that is what he wants, then that is what he wants. It’s his decision what he wants to play with. Not mine.”
Speaking to Buzzfeed, Hook said although he’s not sure the difference his stance made, he wants his son to know he has his total support – always:
“I don’t think that what I said changed the minds of any of the haters, but at least I said something. I have gotten an overwhelming amount of positive private messages.
“It has been pretty touching to read them. On the flip-side of that, there have been several private messages sent that were extremely hateful and disgusting.
“The views expressed by myself and my wife on this are shared by so many people, yet there are those that still just want to spread hate.”
Considering Owen looks impressed by his dad’s time and effort – we’d say the gift was more than just a parenting success.
Not to mention a lesson in acceptance, which every child deserves.
H/T Buzzfeed
