My son has always loved girl things. He loves the shoes and the accessories and the dolls and the princess stuff. Needless to say this is freaking out my very macho husband who is getting concerned. I have chalked it up to that he's just a kid and just wants to play with everything he see's. He loves his boy things, dont get me wrong. he's a huge fan of trucks and cars and crashing them, and he is how they say "all boy". However, he does love to wear my high heels and headbands. He wants a princess dress from santa (along with transformers toys as well). The other day we were picking out sunglasses for him at target and he insisted on the pink barbie ones. He just is very much attracted to all the girly things.
He doesn't have any sisters. He's not around too many girls except me, and I am pretty girly. I've heard that it's normal, but I think because my husband is freaking out, he's starting to make me freak out as well.
I've explained to him abou boys and girls, and how they like different things, but I also dont want him to turn away for exploring. I certainly dont buy him girl toys or clothes at all. I hear that it's healthy to let them experiement with all kinds of toys, boy or girl.
Any advice?
My son used to love pink.. For Halloween he wanted to be the pink (girl) Power Ranger. I explained to him that that was a girl and that he was a boy and could pick another color. (he was three then) but he is now almost five and says oh that's for girls etc etc.. I think he will be fine as long as he is still young. My boy is a total boy's boy plays with cars and trucks, but I do recall a pink stroller he cried over when he was littler.. lol
My son is the same way, as are most little boys I've known. It doesn't mean he's going to grow up to want a sex change, or be gay. Even if he did, would you love him any less?
The theory in my house is this: Life is complicated and hard enough as an adult, and childhood is too short these days. We let my son dictate his own preference in toys and games, even TV shows (he prefers say, Dora, to Diego even though he likes both).
I'm not sure how old your son is, but my son is 2 and he also loves lots of girl things. He has a 12 year old sister and likes to play with her jewelry and makeup. It's perfectly normal. Children don't understand the difference between sexes. They don't understand feminine and masculine. It has been proven that most boys that play with dolls turn out to be excellent fathers. Many men associate feminine interests to being "gay". This is not always the case. I'm sure your son will outgrow this phase. Just keep him involved with other boys his age and he'll do fine.
Good luck!
R.
P.S. - Be sure to tell your hubby not to make a big deal about the "girly" things because that will force your son to rebel. If he doesn't make a big deal of it, your son will forget about it and be done.
How old is your son? I have a 27 month old girl who is into all the boys toys. Her twin sister is as girly as a girl can get and with her she is just into boys stuff. I think you should just let him be. Try to buy boys toys and encourage him to play with both. Don't take away from him his creative side by telling him, your a boy, you must play as a boy. Let him be, I am sure he will outgrow it. Good Luck!
My advice? Let it go. Adjust your expectations and try to apprecaite his creativity and imagination.
Both of my boys (now 10 and 9) enjoyed playing with "girly" things when they were younger. I didn't differentiate. I bought them kitchen stuff (the kitchen was pink and purple--all that was available at the time). My middle son had a cabbage patch doll (male) and a stroller. It didn't bother me because I figure--men have children and cook, it is natural for them to be curious. My husband wasn't thrilled, but didn't complain. My boys also loved cars and trucks and "boy" things. We had quite a variety of toys.
I wouldn't worry about it. Your son spends a great deal of time with you and you are his world! Sounds to me like he just wants to be like his idol ;-)
H.
OMG - I had the same question! I have an almost 5 year old son, who is all-boy when it comes to playing with cars, trucks, etc. But he also is attracted to girly stuff - make-up, shoes, pink, you name it. In fact, he had a tantrum once at the store because I wouldn't buy him a pink coat! But based on the responses, I guess at this age, kids don't know the difference. Most of these stereotypical boy and girl items seemed to be just that - items that were labeled as masculine or feminine by us adults! After reading these responses, I'm going to let my boy have fun, and not make a big fuss about it.
