Okay … let’s talk about the phrase 

“awkward ally” for a second.

When I say “awkward ally,” 

I’m talking about someone who 

genuinely wants to support marginalized people - 

the LGBTQ community, 

people of color, 

the disabled - 

but is nervous, 

scared of screwing up, 

or just doesn’t have the language yet.

So … the support comes out a little “fumbly.”

Kinda like when autocorrect betrays you 

right as you’re sending a text. 

Sometimes it sounds awkward.

Sometimes it looks like 

overthinking everything.

Sometimes it looks like 

avoiding the conversation altogether 

because you’re afraid of getting it wrong.

(Which, by the way,

we’ve all done. Repeatedly.)

But the heart is there.

And honestly?

We all recognize that energy, 

even when we see it in public figures 

who are clearly trying their best: 

a little stiff, a little unsure, 

maybe struggling with their words 

or the tension between belief systems 

and compassion…

…and somehow it makes them 

more relatable and likeable, not less.

Because effort reads as human.

That’s what awkward ally energy is: 

It’s effort before elegance.

And if I could take it a bit further: 

It’s Gen X energy.

We were raised by SURVIVAL SYSTEMS.

We were taught to “walk it off.”

We were taught to NOT talk about feelings.

Don’t EVER rock the boat.

And definitely don’t ask questions in public 

(especially if your mom was talking to someone at the store).

So now, we’re parenting kids in 2026 

using emotional systems 

that barely worked back in 1986. 

And yeah… 

that gets awkward really fast.

Suffice it to say, 

we’re unlearning 

while we’re parenting.

And guess what?

That’s totally normal.

Awkward allyship isn’t about 

having perfect language 

or social media polish.

It’s about being willing 

to show up clumsily 

instead of waiting until 

you sound perfect 

(or never showing up at all).

You’re gonna mess up.

You’re gonna say the wrong thing.

And you’re gonna have moments 

where your kid looks at you like,

“Please stop talking.” (again)

(Obvious pause because 

it’s happened millions of times LOL)

So yeah, welcome to growth!

The goal here isn’t perfection. 

It’s what I like to call “falling forward.”

Every mistake 

becomes information. 

Every awkward moment 

becomes learning.

Which eventually leads to

paying attention

instead of doubling down.

What matters 

isn’t how cleanly you speak. 

It’s whether you keep choosing your kid 

when discomfort shows up.

And please know: 

being awkward 

doesn’t mean you’re failing.

It means you’re trying in a system 

that didn’t raise you for this moment.

It also means you’re doing brave work.

Because unlearning survival habits 

takes courage.

And a surprising amount of humility.

Remember: 

this space is for parents who are willing to:

Learn out loud.

Repair when they mess up.

And keep showing up anyway.

Not perfect parents, 

but present ones.

And if you’ve ever worried, 

“I care! I really do … 

but I feel like I don’t know what I’m doing?”

Congratulations! 

You’re officially an awkward ally. 

And you absolutely belong here.

That’s all for now. 

And don’t forget to take good care of yourself today.

(Seriously. Drink some water.

Stretch.

We’re not 25 anymore.)