I didn't really ever pay attention to gender roles or gender specific toys till my cousin Sam was about 2 years old. The tangled movie had just came out and he loved watching it. I cant remember who exactly said this but someone had commented that it was a girl movie and then let out a giggle. I didn't think it was that big of a deal at the time. Now that I have my own little boy, I am noticing a lot of criticism towards boys being judged for doing or playing with things that aren't the "usual" for boy's.
When I was growing up my mother never set limitations on what my brother and I could do based on our gender. I had a glass tea set that had seen many tea party's but I also had a skateboard that I wasn't always my friend. I was never told that I couldn't do or play with things that weren't meant for girls. I was a free spirited wild child beating along to my own tune; and it was completely okay. I didn't know that many people viewed gender boundaries in the playing aspect of a child's life needed to be set. That girls needed to play dress up and have a collection of Barbie's; Boys had toy cars/trucks and played rough. I'm not sure where this stereotype came from or why its even still around but I do know that kids will be kids no matter what toys they preferred.
I am a parent that doesn't allow the gender police to dictate what is okay for my son. He has way to many cars and Hot wheel sets but he also has frozen on repeat. He wrestles, pegs people in the face with baseballs, picks flowers, gets into my make up, makes his dinosaurs battle, colors on the walls, jumps off tables and will dance like his life depends on it. He is his own person who is just figuring out what he loves most. It wont define who he is meant to grow up to be if I paint his toes or not. Our kids only get one childhood, and weather you let them express who they are can determine how they look back on it.
Since the moment I got pregnant I always planned on letting my little bear be who he wants to be; who he's meant to be and follow he's heart no matter what path it takes him. Its easier said then done but when it comes to a toddler making their own choices and deciding what's their most favorite anything; its very simple. As long as its not harmful or dangerous, Parker is free to play as he sees fit. Which I get the pleasure to watch- as his imagination wonders and creates the most incredible stories, and sets astounding sceneries. My advice for other parents is to not worry about what your child gravitates to during playtime. Boys playing with baby dolls and girls catching bugs wont make them anymore or less of a person. Lets stop gender stereotyping our kids and let them be who they want to be.
"As a mom, I've reached the stage where I'm more focused on raising the man I want my son to become than the little boy I want him to stay."
When I was growing up my mother never set limitations on what my brother and I could do based on our gender. I had a glass tea set that had seen many tea party's but I also had a skateboard that I wasn't always my friend. I was never told that I couldn't do or play with things that weren't meant for girls. I was a free spirited wild child beating along to my own tune; and it was completely okay. I didn't know that many people viewed gender boundaries in the playing aspect of a child's life needed to be set. That girls needed to play dress up and have a collection of Barbie's; Boys had toy cars/trucks and played rough. I'm not sure where this stereotype came from or why its even still around but I do know that kids will be kids no matter what toys they preferred.
Since the moment I got pregnant I always planned on letting my little bear be who he wants to be; who he's meant to be and follow he's heart no matter what path it takes him. Its easier said then done but when it comes to a toddler making their own choices and deciding what's their most favorite anything; its very simple. As long as its not harmful or dangerous, Parker is free to play as he sees fit. Which I get the pleasure to watch- as his imagination wonders and creates the most incredible stories, and sets astounding sceneries. My advice for other parents is to not worry about what your child gravitates to during playtime. Boys playing with baby dolls and girls catching bugs wont make them anymore or less of a person. Lets stop gender stereotyping our kids and let them be who they want to be.
"As a mom, I've reached the stage where I'm more focused on raising the man I want my son to become than the little boy I want him to stay."
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