Non-binary parent writing prompts

Every third Sunday of April is Non-Binary Parent’s Day, and to celebrate year-round I’ve created some non-binary parent writing prompts. While I’m not a parent, I want more non-binary people to feel seen, and writing is one of the best ways to support this.

You can use these writing prompts to start a short story, build out characters, or even to add more to what you’re currently working on. I’ve tried to include a spread of positive, neutral, and negative prompts to encompass all experiences.

Find more of my gender-neutral writing prompts here.

22 non-binary parent writing prompts

You can take just one prompt or combine any of the following for one story! Every prompt is entirely up to your interpretation.

You’ll find prompts for characters, words, settings, tropes, plotlines, and something sensory below.

Characters: A nurse. An oblivious parent-friend. A school teacher.

Words: Chestfeed. Compassion. Discomfort. Overwhelming. Parenthood. Wipes.

Settings: A family room. A nursery. A quiet park.

Tropes: Baby Fever Trigger. Open-Minded Parent. Stern Parent, Doting Parent.

Plotlines:

• A parent experiences the first time when they are not assumed to be a mother or father.
• Their doubts about fitting in are unfounded; this parent-friendly café is swimming with other gender non-conforming parents.
• The birth certificate has to be altered, but it’s too much to deal with right now.
• Stickers and badges help them find inclusive friends in parent-child spaces.
• Their child finds a comfortably gender-neutral name to use for them.
• A discussion about outdated language helps to solve some gender-dysphoric problems.

Sensory: Cuddle.

Non-binary parent character ideas

In case you’re looking for more inspiration for what a non-binary parent might be, these character ideas might help. They could be a starting point, add an extra dimension to a character, or inspire a plot line to follow.

• A parent who goes by “Mapa”.
• Two children who are very clear that their parents aren’t called mum or dad.
• The birthing parent who found the best midwife they could ask for.
• An author realises there’s no parenting book for non-binary parents at their local library.
• A couple expecting their first child struggle with the gendered systems and terminology around them.