Boys in dresses
My pre-school-aged son would like to be a princess for Halloween this year. My husband thinks we should try to discourage him, or at least "boy it up." I think a dress would be hilarious. Thoughts?
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Permalink Reply by T. Suzanne Eller on -
Maybe you could share the story of a prince or princess and all the characters. He could be a prince, a frog, a wizard. . . : ) Kids tend to be hard on other kids, even little ones, so maybe this would be a great alternative.
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Permalink Reply by Tonya Staab on -
Mmm, although I agree that this would be hilarious and I'm sure he'd make a cute as pie princess, I'm torn. On the one hand I don't think it is wrong to encourage boys to wear pink, play with dolls etc etc, but on the other I just can't see myself going along with either of my own sons if they wanted to dress like princesses. I like the idea of seeing if he would like to be a prince or a wizard - something wear he can still wear the sparkly clothing and the crowns but is just a little more 'boy'.
Is there a little girl in the neighborhood who would be willing to dress as a prince to go trick or treating with you - they could be having a backwards day.
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Permalink Reply by Cheryl Bunch on -
I am going to say I totally agree with your husband...boy it up alot.
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Permalink Reply by Cheryl Bunch on
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I can not let this go by me without being completely honest....I do not believe it to be a good idea to let your son dress as a princess...he is a boy...not a girl. Please take a look at the big picture, please. As parents we must guide and mold our children and yes many times we have to discourage situations/ideas more sternly than we'd like too but for the sake of your son, please look at the big picture. Ask the Lord to give you a yes or no and He will.
Cheryl Bunch said:I am going to say I totally agree with your husband...boy it up alot.
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Permalink Reply by Megan on -
I think it should be up to your son (who I'm assuming is between 3-5) let him be a princess but make sure you take pictures because when he's in his teens, you'll need them then!
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Permalink Reply by Kitty on -
It is just a costume. Females wear male clothing quite often, and nothing is said. So, why do we freak when a male wears something considered feminine like a dress?
I would recommend having a serious discussion about the negativity and mocking he may encounter while he is dressed this way. I do think that since he had the courage to voice his desire to dress that way, he will do it one way or another eventually.
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Permalink Reply by LINDA NEWKIRK on -
Oh Boy! Well seeing as how I have watched several shows on the topic of transgendered children, this could be a scary thing. Not to scare you... Children as young as 2 and 3 have shown a desire to do things that are out of the norm for their birth gender, ie; wearing opposite genders clothing, playing with opposite gender toys, just basically wanting to do things if a boy, that a girl would normally want to do. Now, Heres the more logical guesstimation on my part... A. Does he have a sister? B. Does he watch you when you are getting dressed up? C. Does he watch T.V. and maybe have seen a princess and for some reason he found her cool, not yet old enough to understand gender assigned things,like, pink is for girls, blue is for boys. If he has a sister, maybe he sees the fuss that is made over her when she is all dolled up, and he wants some of that same attention, or, he is around you so much even when you are getting ready to go out for the evening, and all he sees is you wearing girly things, and , then again probably hears people tell you how great you look,cause noone ever really makes a fuss when daddy gets ready to go out, so he sees the girls get all the attention, and it is around what they put on for clothing. Or, he has watched a particular cartoon, with a princess, for whatever reason, liked the way she looked, and in his immature, undeveloped mind, when talking about what do you want to be for halloween, he just said the first thing that popped into his head, probably, the last thing he saw that looked like a costume, not everyday clothing. My advice... Hilarious... maybe if he was 14 and it was done as an obvious joke, but, preschool age, people are going to think you are a little weird, and, be asking "why", because everyone who will see him won't know you, and maybe not understand your sense of humor. And you could be starting something you don't want to start, that could stay with him, and who knows what. I know it sounds like a lot for a simple decision of what does my son wear for halloween, but, any number of things that happen or take place in a young childs life can have repercussions, later, or not... But, why chance it? I say, let him watch a good cowboy show, and suggest how great (and cool) he would look as a cowboy, or something along those lines.
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Permalink Reply by Jen the Dust Bunny Hostage on -
Is he the class clown type or does he enjoy other kids laughing at him? Your dilema would come down to that.... whether he can handle the laughter. Because kids are kids, and they will giggle about it.
My son will watch Hannah Montanna while trying to karate chop our couch in half. He has two older sisters so he has put on his fair share of bras. Mostly on his head (and he hasn't watched weird science). Boys will be boys, dresses or not.
But protect his feelings at this early age. He is relying on you to guide him because he doesn't fully understand the consequences of EVERY action. If he can handle it? Why not! If he is tender hearted... how about a ninja?
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Permalink Reply by Denise Byrne on -
I cannot believe some of the responses received-REALLY! My son & your son are the best of friends & since the day they were born have had quirky little attitudes and blessed with the ability to charm their way into anyones heart. They go against the flow, have a beat all their own and they are 100% fine with this. They have never fit in the "blue is for boys" box... and how lucky for them. I pray that they will remain true to themselves and have the courage to be who THEY want to be & not become someone society thinks they should be. Will I care if my son is gay? No - not in the least. Why? Because I am his mother and my role is to love and not judge him - always! So please, to the ones who will no doubt have some comment to make about our 3 year old boys on Halloween, try hard to keep it & any looks to yourself. If you can't then remember/understand that YOU are responsible for introducing judgement/teasing/hate to others...Peace Out.
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Permalink Reply by VHgroupie on -
I wouldn't do it, but that's just me. I agree with poster about being a prince.
Back in the 80s I had a 7 year old next door neighbor boy who liked to play Wizard of Oz with his brother. He always played Dorothy and wore a long shirt as a dress and carried a purse or basket. I remember when he got his first 20" bike. It was a girl's purple stingray with a flowered banana seat and basket. His mother's reason was she didn't know how to raise boys because she grew up with all sisters. They moved away four years later and I always wonder if he turned out gay.
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Permalink Reply by Carrie on -
As much as I don't like gender stereotyping, I do agree with the ladies here. Unfortunately the kids may be hard on him and not as understanding as us forward thinking women. As fun as it may be to whip out the pictures when he brings home his first date one day, I think you should try and steer him in another direction.
Let us know what you choose!
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