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Family

Heartwarming comics break down complex parenting issues with ease

Lunarbaboon comics tackle huge, important subjects with an effective, lighthearted touch that you can't help but smile at.

All images by Christopher Grady/Lunarbaboon, used with permission

Writing comics helped a father struggling with anxiety and depression.

Christopher Grady, a father and teacher from Toronto, was struggling with anxiety and depression. That's when he started drawing.

He describes his early cartoons and illustrations as a journal where he'd chronicle everyday moments from his life as a husband, elementary school teacher, and father to two kids.

"I needed a positive place to focus all my thoughts and found that when I was making comics I felt a little bit better," he says.

He began putting a few of his comics online, not expecting much of a response. But he quickly learned that people were connecting with his work in a deep way.


The comics series called Lunarbaboon was born, and the response to the first few was so powerful that Grady was inspired do more with his comics than just document his own experience.

"I began getting messages from many people about how they connected to the comics and it gave them hope and strength as they went through their own dark times," he says.

"When they look back…they probably won't remember what was said…or where you were when you said it. They may not remember any details of your time together. But they will remember that you were there…and that's what matters most."

"Usually the circle of people we can support, help, influence is limited to our families, friends, coworkers, random stranger at the bus stop, but with my comic I suddenly found my circle of power was much much larger," Grady explains. "I guess I decided to use this power for good."

Grady continued to draw, making a point to infuse the panels with his own special brand of positivity.

"Kids are always watching adults and they look to the adults as role models," he says. "I try to show (my kids and students) that even with all my flaws and weaknesses I am still a good person and I can still make a positive change in the world."

Lunarbaboon comics tackle huge, important subjects with an effective, lighthearted touch that you can't help but smile at.

Check out Grady's take on teaching his son about consent. (All images by Christopher Grady/Lunarbaboon, used with permission.)

consent, relationship advice, father son advice, family

A comic about listening and respecting your partner.

All images by Christopher Grady/Lunarbaboon, used with permission

Here's one about parents being supportive of a gay son or daughter.

sexual orientation, parenting gay children, positive messages, gender orientation

Parents being supportive of their gay son.

All images by Christopher Grady/Lunarbaboon, used with permission

On raising girls in a patriarchal world.

adulting, education, medical field, dreams

Comic encourages girls to chase all their dreams.

All images by Christopher Grady/Lunarbaboon, used with permission

And here's a sweet one about appreciating the heck out of his wife.

motherhood, moms, childbirth, family

Mom one ups dad easily.

All images by Christopher Grady/Lunarbaboon, used with permission

Big topics. Important issues. Grady tackles them with humility and ease.

As Lunarbaboon has continued to grow, Grady says the messages of support he gets have become increasingly powerful.

He certainly doesn't claim to have all the answers to all the complexities of parenting, but he does say that "people like knowing they aren't alone in life's daily struggles. Most people who contact me just want to say thank you for putting something positive into the world."

Grady doesn't expect his Lunarbaboon comics to fix rape culture or end bigotry. He just hopes his message of love, inclusion, and positivity continues to spread.

inclusion, gender roles, social anxiety, happy

Teaching children to accept what might be different.

All images by Christopher Grady/Lunarbaboon, used with permission

"My hope is that for the short time people read it they smile and feel good," he says. "Then I hope they take that good feeling and smile into the world and make it slightly brighter."

You can check out even more of Grady's awesome work over on his website or in his newly published book.


This article was originally published on 11.30.17

via Three Under The Rain / Instagram

Brisa is the the illustrator of Three Under the Rain, a comic series on Instagram about her relationship with her fiance Joan and Marley, her five-year-old Labrador.

She never really considered herself an artist, but all that's changed since September 2017 when she first posted a few comics on Instagram. The first batch were called Short People Problems, about the funny situations she has to deal with as a five-foot-tall woman.

"I started with the series Short People Problems since I thought it would be fun to laugh a bit about the small daily struggles that short people have to face," she told Bored Panda.


"They were super well-received, but in the comments, there were always people saying how they didn't like being short, or how that made them feel less confident or feel that being short is a problem itself," she continued.

RELATED: An artist built seesaws into the US-Mexico border and invited kids to play on them

So Brisa got to work on a series of illustrations touting the positive side of being pint-sized, called the Perks of Being Short. The comics aren't just a way to appease her fans, she's actually learned to love her stature.

"Now in my late twenties, I'm totally fine with my height of 152 cm, it's who I am, and I like it, but there was a time when that was not like that," she said. "So I thought it could be great to make a parallel series, focused on the perks that being below average height have."

Her illustrations have become pretty popular on Instagram, earning her over 280,000 followers and she's even launched an online store with Joan where they sells prints, clothing, and stickers featuring her artwork.

Here is the entire series of 15 Perks of Being Short that'll either help you love your height or appreciate the vertically challenged people in your life.

More

Dogs are the best. These 9 hilarious comics remind us why.

'Home is where the dog hair sticks to everything but the dog.'

If you have a dog, you already know about the limitless source of joy they can bring.

Dogs are so much more than four-legged animals living in our house. They're also our family. They're our best friends. We can count on them to provide us with the best kind of unconditional love.

And that's why Lingvistov.com illustrator Landysh Akhmetzyanova drew these delightful comics.


These nine adorable funny-'cause-they're-true illustrations celebrate all that our beloved pooches have to offer — the good, the bad, and the funny:

1. They're only too happy to be our guinea pigs.

All food must go to the lab for testing. Illustrations via Lingvistov, featured with permission.

2. What is that secret language? What are they trying to tell us?

Dogs bark at nothing. Keep telling yourself that.

3. As pet parents, our days revolve around potty time. But, hey — we signed up for it.

Agenda for the day: Let the dog in. Let the dog out.

4. We can learn A LOT from our dogs.

No matter what life brings you, kick some grass over that and move on.

5. This applies to any and all types of food.

I see you have pizza ... I also like pizza.

6. So much truth it's ridiculous.

Home is where the dog hair sticks to everything but the dog.

7. This unspoken rule sounds about right. Would you agree?

There's an unspoken rule that when your pet is sleeping on you, you don't move.

8.  It's like they need to make sure that we're paying attention.

Let me in. I need to go back out again.

9. We've all had days like this. And that's OK.

Leave me alone. I'm only speaking to my dog today.

Dogs keep us busy, and they rarely let us down when we need comfort.

Our furry friends don't always get the credit they deserve for being such important figures in our lives. But these simple yet heartwarming comics are a hilarious tribute to all that they are and all they mean in our lives.

"They are loyal. They are awesome friends; they will definitely keep you busy and always be there for you when you need them," the artist says. "Dogs are the best security system."

Now go and give your pet a great big hug (and peel more of that dog hair off your black jeans).

I have a confession: I get anxiety when I check social media.

People post about getting married, having babies, taking lavish vacations, and solving world hunger. Meanwhile, I'm barely keeping it together.

All illustrations by Jon Youshaei/The Every Vowel.


I have to remind myself that people don't show their full selves on social media. It's only their "greatest hits."

Lots of people pretend to be someone they're not.

Like a "social media influencer."

Or a "Bitcoin guru."

But truth is, not everyone crushes their goals all the time.

Even the seemingly most successful people struggle. And you can overcome any challenge if you keep three simple things in mind.

1. Don't let pride get in your way.

2. Ask for help.

3. Above all: Don’t be so hard on yourself!

You don't need to be perfect to be happy.

You don't need to have all the answers.

Even people who soar don’t have it all figured out.

Life is constantly under construction. Failure isn't a detour. It's a rite of passage.

You can find more of my cartoons on EveryVowel.com.