Proud to be me: Craig

Proud to be me: Craig

Craig Whittingham - Centre Manager

What is it like being a working Dad at Hollywood Bowl?

Being a dad is amazing, and it really is the best part of my life, but I also absolutely love my role as Centre Manager at Hollywood Bowl, there are a lot of spinning plates, juggling working shifts, nursery (soon to be school), play-dates, birthday parties (whilst still trying to drink 7 glasses of water and eating 5 fruit and veg!!) it can sometimes be a handful, but when you are pushing your child on the swings or eating a picnic in the sunshine– it really makes up for them times you are spinning all the plates and missing putting the little one to bed! Plus, my daughter absolutely loves bowling, so whenever we nip in, she must have a bowl!

Did you always both know you wanted children?

Both me and my husband have always wanted children, it was a discussion we had rather early in our relationship – but we were both keen to have a child/ren. I must admit I want 3 and he only wants 1 – I think we will settle on 2, but who knows!  

What was your experience like through the adoption process?

It’s like a world-wind which comes at you from directions you never knew existed! Its emotional, physical, educational but ultimately the most rewarding thing I have ever done. My line manager at Hollywood Bowl was so supportive and I could work my shifts around my appointments and if anything cropped up at the last minute which I had to attend I was always supported in centre. Having a manager on your side and offering advise and help is always a great support!

Do you know many other same sex parents?

One of my best friends who is also in a same sex relationship adopted around the same time, which was great knowing someone else when we went through the adoption process and then great for our children to play together. It’s key for our daughter to see other families like hers, that being on TV, in books, in adverts and posters or in our friends’ families.

What do you think are the most common assumptions or misconceptions made about same sex parents?

We have had plenty, my daughter does find it funny when people make assumptions, about children having a “mummy and daddy” recently on holiday my daughter was dancing on stage and banged heads with another child, she burst out crying, tears running down her face and a red bump to her forehead, one of the team members turned around and asked “where is you mummy?” to this she replied “I don’t have a mummy” the member of the team didn’t know what to do or say, I swiftly picked her up and gave her a big cuddle to make everything in the world right – when she was telling me what happened she rolled her eyes and tutted when explained “they asked me about my mummy, why? I’ve banged my head and I’ve got two daddies” – she alluded to it being a very silly question, especially when she had just banged her head!

Have you faced challenges as LGBTQ+ parents? 

I think being a parent is no easy job, and we all have different and varied challenges.  When visiting a school recently, I wanted to know resources the school had with regards to different families and children with same sex parents, so sometimes challenging the social norms and pushing to be included is challenging.

What do you think could be improved for LGBTQ+ parents?

Same-sex couples could only legally adopt since 2002 in England and 2007 in Scotland, so in that time a lot of work has been done around policies and wording to create a more inclusive country, but there is still lots of work to be done, and when Pride month comes around, its super-important that if you don’t identify as LGBTQ+, you can be an ally, you can be that friend which can offer help and support to us – give us that safe space with our family – we are all families some are just in different packaging.

 What is your best piece of advice for LGBTQ+ parents?

You are the leader of your own destiny, the journey might seem tough, but the hardest journey always has the best destination.  

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