Princess Zach
by Shane Nickerson
My son likes to wear dresses. It’s not surprising, since he is the 3-year-old brother of a very fancy 7-year-old sister who was, until quite recently, obsessed with the Disney princesses. You know, just like every single other little girl on earth. I’m not sure which dark magic Disney uses to enchant the minds of all the kids, but it is a powerful spell. There is a toddler cult and it’s those goddamn princesses. Anyway, as a devoted member of Cult Princess, my daughter was able to decrypt the hidden message (which I assume exists) within each of the Princess songs: the message to pass along the obsession to younger siblings. Message received. She successfully converted my son, dressing him up in gowns, tiaras and semi-heeled plastic shoes. Great work, daughter. The other cult members are surely proud of your work. Of course, it didn’t take much. He’s a natural in novelty glass slippers that light up when you walk.
Depending on his mood, he alternates between either the Belle, the Tiana or the classic Cinderella gown. Each dress was around $30 at the Disney Store. They are cheaply made costume dresses that rip easily and seem to attract spaghetti sauce, but to him they might as well be Versaces. That’s a popular designer, right? How about Dolgiano Langustos. Or Vertram Von Strigands. I love making up fake designer names. Cranston LaRoux. Mort Bort. Finky Stinkbiscuit. I digress.
He loves wearing dresses, and that’s awesome. I hope that goes without saying, but of course it doesn’t bother me in the least that my three year old son loves to dress up in his sister’s princess clothes (actually, the Tiana dress is one that he picked out). I love that he has mastered walking in delicate shoes and has learned to pick up the front of his dress when he walks to avoid tripping. He once came to the dinner table and before he would eat, he insisted, “Daddy, wait! I have to get dressed.” He left the room briefly, and returned proudly wearing his Belle dress. I took a picture. I have to say, he wears it well.
He wanted to wear the Cinderella dress to the supermarket the other day.
“Sure,” I told him. “You want your magic wand, too?”
“YES!” he said, and he ran to his room to get ready.
We drove down the street to Ralph’s, listening to the soundtrack from Tangled on the way. He waved his wand around in the back seat, oblivious to judgments and pointless labels in the world. As we listened to Mandy Moore sing about when Rapunzel’s real life might begin, I forgot about how people say stupid things sometimes, not because they aren’t thinking or “didn’t mean to” but because they are ignorant and archaic.
We walked into Ralph’s, me with a few things on a list and him, a princess out on a journey. He waved his wand and he cast his spells and he invented a world inside the world. Most importantly, he clearly felt beautiful.
After getting our groceries, we waited in line at Self-Checkout.
“Looks like you’ve got a little hairdresser on your hands,” a voice said from too close behind me.
I turned around to make sure the voice was talking to me.
The man was in his mid fifties, wearing a half-buttoned tuxedo shirt and black slacks. “Caterer or bartender,” my brain whispered to me as I continued to process his words.
“What’s that?” I asked. I heard him, but it actually took me several seconds to understand the implication of his statement. I looked at my son to be certain I wasn’t misinterpreting this stranger’s comment. Had he been playing with a brush, or fixing a doll’s hair, or doing anything else even closely resembling hairdressing , I would have smiled and politely agreed. Zach was not doing any of those things. He was waving his wand at anything that caught his eye and living in that 3-year-old world that most adults have stopped seeing. Thankfully, he was also oblivious to our conversation.
He chuckled and dismissively waved off his own comment. He turned towards my son. In a too loud, and much too friendly voice, he told him, “Great dress, princess!” He chuckled loudly.
My son barely noticed.
In the movie, I’d have wheeled around and lectured this person about ignorant stereotypes. Further, I would have told him that I don’t care if my son grows up to be a hairdresser or a fireman, or a damn dinosaur as long as he’s happy. I also would have told him to mind his own business and then I would have whisked my son away, leaving the shopping basket behind. A polite but unsuspecting cashier might have earnestly tried to catch me with a “Sir! You forgot your groceries!” I’d have shot back a clever, but curt and indignant response like, “That’s okay, I’m suddenly not in the mood for groceries!” Surely the other cashiers would wonder what the hell that meant, and the man who made the hairdresser comment probably would have missed the point anyway.
Life is never the movie. I didn’t know what to say. I turned back around and stayed silent. I scanned my items, bagged them and paid.
“Come on, Zachy,” I said a little too cheerily, as I grabbed his hand, “let’s go home and show mama how beautiful you look.” He picked up the front of his dress and followed me, blissfully unaware of stereotypes, blissfully unaware of gender, and blissfully unaware that someday, I will not be there to protect him from ignorance.
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06.23.2011 |
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Beautiful. I read a mother’s perspective on a similar story. Love!
Love it. You sir, are an amazing parent! Kudos!
I have read mother’s perspectives on this type of occurance, but yours is the first father story I’ve read. It’s great to know that you are loving your son, not in spite of who he is but that you are just loving him.
Thank you! I have a 4 year old son who loves princesses and superheroes. I have a 5 year old daughter who loves them both too. He also loves to have his nail polished right along with his sister. It is nice to know that there are other parents who just let their babies be without trying to stereotype them. There are many times I wish life was like the movies but then, like you said, people would miss the point anyway. Well done!
YOU ARE AWESOME! it’s a sad world we live in, with too much bs. I’m glad you are one of the good ones, who doesn’t judge and doesn’t care. I am the same and proud of that. it’s a shame but unfortunately it’s life. Your son is lucky to have you, I’m sure he will be the best damn WHATEVER/WHOEVER he wants to be when he grows up! Embrace the fun and innocence while you can.
but it’s better to just walk away and be the bigger person 
btw, LOVE how you went into the “in the movie it would’ve played out like this…” scenario because I to think quite similarly, and I’m glad I’m not the only one. You should’ve punched him in the face tho
CHEERS!
This actually made me teary-eyed. You are a wonderful man. This is a wonderful example of what parenting should be about; unconditional love. I wish more people would take note.
Made me teary-eyed too. :’)
Awesome!
This was lovely. <3
Shane, this was so beautiful to read. My littlest Lucas has beautiful curls, likes to wear pink leggings and often has painted nails. He is beauty. His 5 year old brother went to the nurse at school the other day, she said, “oh do boys wear nailpolish?” He told her of course they do, didn’t she know that. He came home and told me the nurse was very concerned about his nail polish. I wonder when the day will come that he too will be concerned and no longer do things just because he wants to.
Thanks, Hannah! Zach loves purple nail polish on his fingers and toes too! I hope he always has the courage to wear whatever makes him happy.
Just remembered I have some wonderful photos of my little brothers in their pioneer girl dresses and bonnets. Good for you for just letting your son play and dress the way he wants!
This was the most touching thing to read. I have to be honest, I thought it was from the mothers point of view in the beginning, once I realized you were his father it brought tears to my eyes. What a wonderful father you are! Your little boy will grow up to be something amazing because of that!
You are an incredible father.
This was a delight. I hope that he never loses his sense of self and wonder <3
What a sweet story.
great read
Cranston LaRoux is a shout out to Bryan Cranston, model dad from Malcolm in the Middle and Breaking Bad, right? Please say Yes!
LOVE your writing Shane.
Kudos to you for this – Zach is lucky to have such an awesome dad. Recently, I saw a little boy dressed up as Wonder Woman and he pulled it off like no other. Also, the hairdresser comment left me baffled – is he trying to suggest he was gay? Why does that even matter when one is three years old and is just being themselves, can’t people see that? Also, if that WAS the case, why would he automatically be a HAIRDRESSER? What a tool.
I was equally baffled by his comment.
There is no doubt the man was bringing up a stereotypical homosexual profession in reference to your child’s dressing in women’s clothing. Whether it was meant in good fun or in a mean-spirited way, I think the comment is ignorant and tacky. Lot’s of young boys dress up as little girls and wear feather boas and high heels while they still have an imagination and don’t realize that they “aren’t supposed to dress like girls” (at least according to most of their peers in school). Young children also used to be able to run around naked at the beach, and often still do in most European countries. It’s unfortunate that we have to ruin innocent children’s fun because of adult sexual hangups and perversity. The proper response of the bartender/waiter would have just been “That’s a nice dress” or “That looks like a lot fun” or to say nothing at all.
What a great father you are… I am sure you are one of few who would go to the grocery store with your little boy in a dress, the fact that you do is awesome. Little boys need more supportive men like you in their lives who allow them to be whoever they want to be.
Seconded
You are like the World’s Best Dad. You know those trophies kids give dads on Father’s Day all the world over? Well, you deserve the biggest and coolest World’s Best Dad trophy! And as a big sister to a brother for whom I dressed in leotards, sparkly gowns, and tiaras for about 10 years, I can tell you that kids really bond over that kind of stuff. My little brother doesn’t wear leotards anymore but if he did, I’d be in the front row of all his dance recitals!
Bravo to you! I heard similar remarks when buying a kitchen set for my older son, and about the long hair and blue nail polish my younger son wore to soccer camp. My younger son recently chopped off his 10 inch pony tail to donate to charity. My kids are happy, healthy teenagers, who are confidant enough to express themselves – whether it be in a dress , in a classroom, or in just making it through a day of high school.
Keep being you Zach – you sound like a great kid
Somewhere out there is a mid-50′s bartender (looks who’s stereotyping now eh?) writing a blog entry about how a good natured comment he made to some random guy in a supermarket was completely misunderstood and he wishes he had phrased “be yourself” better.
I could be wrong.
Chris, I spent several years as an LA caterer/bartender. I know the outfit. Secondly, good natured or not, I found his unsolicited comment unsettling. Perhaps I’m overly protective.
I wondered the same, Chris… maybe he meant to be insulting, maybe he didn’t… but if being a hairdresser is ok, and being a pretty princess is ok, then where exactly was the insult in his comments? (Not saying the possible innuendos escaped me, just saying we can sometimes make something mean more than it has to by our own filters…)
My guess is that he was trying for the “tolerant” response, but really needed to take that thinking one step further. “You’ve got a little hairdresser on your hands,” said in a friendly tone, is the polite-innuendo way to communicate “looks like your son is gay… not that there’s anything wrong with that!” But if he’s willing to move beyond the intolerant response of “every parent must wish that their son is hetero,” then he should also set aside the “any boy transgressing masculinity must be doing it ’cause he’s gay” presumption.
I loved reading this. I don’t have kids, but I never understood how adults were so quick to stereotype and judge a toddler. A 3 year old boy knows nothing about sexuality, it’s just creativity and exploring. So sad adults ruin the fun out of dressing up and turn it into something else. Zach sounds amazing.
I think the most important part of parenting is helping our children feel good about themselves altogether. You clearly are doing a wonderful job of this. My four and five year old sons wore their hair past their shoulders until a few weeks into the school year. They came home and told me their teacher said long hair was for girls. After weeks of asking we finally took them to the barber and let them cut their hair. It made me sad that well meaning but closed minded adults had given them their first taste of gender specific bias. Sometimes grown ups suck. Keep doing what you’re doing, he sounds like an awesome kid.
I love this story. My eyes got misty. Kudos to you. You’re children are so lucky to have a father like you.
My oldest nephew went through an epic Disney Princess phase. His favorite game was to dramatically collapse on the floor after biting into an apple. He would lie there with his eyes closed and if we didn’t take the hint he would start whispering “kiss me!” No one could tell us that dress up was just for girls, because the joy it brought him and us was more beautiful than the fairest of them all.
He just turned eight and everything is Pokemon & Battle Blades. Thank you for reminding me of my Princess Seth!
I’m glad that there are fathers like you out there. It makes me believe that some kids are actually going to grow up with the love and support they deserve.
I love this story. You are a fantastic father and your son is very lucky to have you!
As much as I agree that you should be praised for being an amazing father, and boy you should, what bothers me is that we live in a day and age where giving your children the freedom to express themselves and nurturing an ability to think and exist outside of societal/gender roles is something so rare that it needs to be recognized as exceptional. This should be the norm, and sadly it is not even close…. What is even sadder still is that soon you will reach a point where the support and nurturing are over shadowed by peer pressure and bullying . A point where your son asks you to throw away his favorite purple shirt and to please not tell his friends that he loves Eloise (speaking from experience you say, moi?). It is wonderful that your son is going to grow up with such love and acceptance and in turn be loving and accepting and then someday raise someone else to be the same. Thank you for setting off that wonderful chain. That being said, I loved everything about this piece, thank you so much for writing it!
What a great story and even better that it’s written by a loving father (and I love articles written by men on hellogiggles.com to boot). You’re wrong about one thing though. You will always be there to protect him from ignorance because what you teach him as he grows up will be in his mind and in his heart forever. If only more parents and more humans were like you, sir. Thank you.
Your son sounds very lucky to have a dad like you. Well done on your parenting! It gives me hope that the right people are still breeding!
Awww, very sweet. I always wonder why it is ok for little girls to play with trucks and dinosaurs, but a boy picking up a princess doll is verboten. Glad to hear my son is not the only one interested in the princess crusade – and that I am not the only parent who lets their kid just be.
I’m always very happy to read stories of parents who aren’t participating in the Great Gender Bamboozle and are just letting their kids do what they enjoy. My sympathies on not having the real life encounter go the way the movie version would–happens to the best of us all the time. There are moments when we are brilliant and secure enough to come up with the perfect bon mot or impassioned speech on the spot, but generally, we have to muddle through. Personally, I find afterblogging a great response!
Thank you very much for that. My 3 year old son gets the looks all the time and has started to be made fun of at school because he plays with Barbie and has an Ariel doll. It is refreshing to see that there are people out there who won’t do that and hopefully teach their children to be more open minded too.
You win the awesome dad award. My mother bought me my own high heels as a kid (from a garage sale) because she was tired of me wearing hers. Keep up the amazing parenting! (BTW, I turned out gay but heels no longer appeal–tools of patriarchy! : )
Haha. That made me laugh, Ron.
This is such an amazing story! Our son would run happily with Zach waving his Tinkerbell wand high in the air. My husband thankfully is extremely supportive and I’m am thankful every day. Your son is one lucky little boy and your wife should be proud to have such a wonderful husband and father by her side.
This made me smile! Wishing Royal Highness Princess Zach an awesome fairy wonderland of sequins and awesome dresses to rock!
I’m so happy that Zach has a dad like Shane.
It’s nice to know there are parents out there like this. I often wonder what life would be like for me if my father had been this accepting. No matter how much hate you may encounter, you can rest easy know you are doing the best thing for your son. Through my work I often see the damage done by parents who are less accepting.
Thank you for sharing your story.
Shane, you are a gem. Our son is only 7 months old, but we’ve already had numerous conversations about how we only want him to experience happiness, and pray that we are generous enough as parents to support whatever path will lead him to that- with the caveat that he can never be a Yankees fan. Go Sox and princesses!
Thanks, Katie! Ha! Gotta draw the line at Yankee fandom.
Wonderfully refreshing, and thanks for sharing. I have a fantastic son, 8 years old, who loves to wear purple and very flamboyant combinations of clothes including “girls” clothes like sparkly shoes and jackets with sequins. I love that he doesn’t adhere to stereotypical definitions in his clothing and other preferences. BUT, I do have to say that I think you could wait one second before condemning the older man who made the less-than-thoughtful remarks. In his own un-evolved way, couldn’t he have been trying to say, “Bless you for letting your child be the person he is”? He may only be able to relate on a basic level, but he didn’t sling hateful words at you or your child and he didn’t say anything that would make your child feel small. After all, your son WAS dressed as a pretty princess, right? And, in fact, there is nothing wrong with being a hairdresser, right? Without reading into his underlying meaning, it could be interpreted as just a statement of observation. At your son’s age, could there be any harm in just assuming the best? Is it possible that your reaction to his comments is as much about your own assumptions as his? Maybe his son is a cross-dresser, and he’s trying to relate or make up for having not allowed his own child to express himself…. there are so many possibilities for why he said what he did. But to assume he was saying your son was gay, or a hair dresser in the making, or something other than a darling boy in a princess dress, is an interpretation by you through your own filter. Just giving you another way to look at it.
Please know that I’m 100% on your side, and on the side of our boys and our girls and all of us just trying to figure it out as best we can as we go.
And your writing is phenomenal. I will subscribe and read more. Thank you!
You are a wonderful father and I admire you greatly for simply loving your son enough to let him do something that brings him great joy, even if strangers and society view it as weird or what not.
You, sir, give me hope. If only more parents/people had your perspective!
I read this through assuming on my way down it was written by a Mother and to my delight, it was written by a Father. A man that was confident in himself and in his son, a man that didn’t have issues with his man-child playing princess and brandishing a wand. Bless you for your openmindedness. There should be more people like you on the planet.
Suggested response if it ever happens again: Confused look and “What do you mean?” When the guy hangs himself by saying anything about gender preference, look horrified: “You mean you’re thinking of a THREE YEAR OLD in terms of sexual preference?! What kind of sick person ARE you?!” Bonus points if you project your voice so that everyone hears that last. It takes a certain amount of willingness to make a scene, but the end result should be the guy turning neat shades of red and excusing himself abruptly.
(Seriously, what sort of sick person DOES think about a toddler’s sexual preference… or anything with “sex” and “toddler” together that isn’t referring to installed plumbing?!)
My Mama Bear feels your desire for such a response.
But to give one would expose Zach to unnecessary drama and ugliness.
It is better to teach kids to not let negativity in to start with. I wish I was better that that.
I wish I knew what career path my son was going to choose it would make knowing what to commit to his college fund so much easier.
But no one can tell at such a young age.
OH YES THERE SHOULD BE MORE WONDERFUL PEOPLE LIKE YOU ON THIS PLANET THANK YOU FOR SHARING THIS EXAMPLE OF YOUR OPEN MINDED WONDERFULNESS.
this is so sweet. it’s nice to see a father who supports his son, no matter what. we need more great men like you in the world.
Many years ago (say 30) in Berkeley, a young woman was going through the grocery checkout with a two-ish year-old boy wearing a gay pride T-shirt. The man behind them asked, “Is he gay?” The mom said, “It’s too early to tell, but if he is, he’s gonna be proud.”
Wonder where that kid is today!
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Oh good. A troll. Thanks, Bernard. Nice to hear another hateful opinion.
My six-year old son has a baby doll that he has loved since he was two. Over the years, there have been a few raised eyebrows but we see no reason to take away something he loves so much. His baby hasn’t made him any less of a little boy and everyone comments on his sweet nature. Kudos to you for supporting your son!
Kudos to you!
We make our own happiness and it is best not to let ugly people decide for us.
Had you made a scene Zach would have been affected and by ignoring the comment he stayed as you so perfectly put it blissfully unaware.
In my humble opinion until you are ready and it becomes unavoidable to let Zach in on lesser society’s fun crushing expectations your non-reaction is wonderful.
Even if Zach had caught on the fifty year old bartender was making fun of him ~ learning to ignore those who try to rain on his parade and not allowing them to make him feel bad for being different is a philosophy anyone young and old can benefit from.
A three year old does not need to hear he is not normal or should bend himself to the expectations of close minded people. No one needs that.
Nor should anyone be denied such a simple harmless pleasure, in a world that is all too often ugly and not so enjoyable.
I have the utmost respect for a parent who holds their head high while holding the hand of their son wearing a princess dress.
Nee-Sayers beware or Zach might just use his magic wand to turn them into a toad.
I have to say I’m a little bit surprised that no 1 has gay bashed on this yet. I was half expecting this comment section to be full of hate but for this instance I am glad to be wrong
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And before I get relegated to the troll bin again, it’s not the boy wearing a dress that’s the problem. Kids will be kids. It’s taking him out in public, armed with a camera and an attitude, waiting for someone to say something – anything – that will allow you to indignantly and haughtily display your moral superiority to the poor working class stiffs who, poor souls, just don’t know any better and happened to notice the odd sight before them. Lecturing them about their ‘ignorant stereotypes’ because they noticed your son in a dress or your daughter in a hard hat and bullfighter outfit.
This made Fark? Cool!
Seriously; do you know 3 year olds? There’s no intentionally making them wear a princess dress and taking them to do groceries. If the kid didn’t want to wear the dress, there’s no way Shane could have made him put it on to go do groceries. Plus, his son looks extremely happy and cheerful in the picture, which is probably why he took the picture.
Anyway: Shane, you’re a great dad for supporting your son in his choices. And even if you did intentionally take him to do shopping in a dress (which I doubt), people still should mind their own business.
And @Joshua: how does “that’s going to be a hairdresser” lead you to conclude he thought it was a girl instead of a boy? (I don’t mean to attack you, I just don’t understand).
By the way; yes the remark could have been ment as friendly, but if it was; Shane would’ve heard that by the tone of voice the man used, don’t you think? And if it was meant friendly, it was very poorly phrased.
It’s a nice article Shane, and I’m glad it’s going so well for you and your son. Sounds like you should raise up some smart kids.
There’s a few things here that didn’t strike me as quite right, though. I not sure I understood the man’s ‘hairdresser’ comment (I’m guessing he was assuming the dress meant your son was a girl; and hairdressing is a stereotypical woman’s job), but I’m even less sure that you understand your reaction: turn and see the man, “Caterer or bartender,” your brain goes.
You wanted to act indignant towards some random caterer or bartender who turns out to be less wordly than you; you pride yourself on just the thought alone of putting this ignorant man in his place. “I’m suddenly not in the mood for groceries!” To me, a sensible response would be, “This is my son, and he’ll be whatever he wants to be.” Insensible is scolding a random stranger to mind his own business when he made a friendly, albeit misguided, remark.
It sounds like you may end up raising a drama queen (or two). It sounds like you may be one yourself. Maybe I’m just ign’ant, but I don’t think being a drama queen is a good thing.
Anyway…
““Come on, Zachy,” I said a little too cheerily, as I grabbed his hand, “let’s go home and show mama how beautiful you look.” He picked up the front of his dress and followed me, blissfully unaware of stereotypes, blissfully unaware of gender, and blissfully unaware that someday, I will not be there to protect him from ignorance.” – well said.
I realize from the Fark thread mentioned above that I never even considered that the man thought your son was gay; I assumed the man thought your son was a girl. After all, short hair on a 3-year-old really isn’t solidly indicative of gender. Seeing the dress on your son (again, with my ign’ant self), I very well may have thought he was your daughter. Assuming the guy thought your son was gay is assuming the guy assumes sexuality in 3-year-old. I can’t see that; maybe you do. Maybe that’s actually what the guy meant. Doesn’t change the conclusion of my above post, though.
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A gender therapist recently told my trans son that if he wants to pass as male he shouldn’t wear purple. What? He looks great in purple.
I think you sound like a great parent, Shane. Loving our children unconditionally is the way it should be.
I can totally relate to this and i don’t even have children.
My older brother at the age of 6 loved playing dress up with myself and my sisters, one of my early memories is of him crying to my dad for a barbie for christmas so he could play with his own (instead of using mine or my sisters.) He was very thrifty with making playful costumes (and that doesn’t make him a hair dresser!)
That behaviour in no way made him homosexual or transgender (and if it did so what?) Needless to say as a teenager he was probably the most “jock” kid on the block playing all sorts of sports and he loves the ladies!
He’s now turning 25 and he’s an extremely sensitive soul and loves the arts, and is extremely talented at his craft (he’s an actor) As human beings its in our nature to experiment on our path to finding ourselves. I hope that when I have children one day my relationship is open and honest!
Oh and no one says anything when girls go through the tomboy phase!
I mean i was a tomeboy from the age of 7-13 i totally rocked the lesbian cut (and my mom was kind enough to call it a pixie cut and say i looked like a young winona ryder!) I only wore my brother boardshorts and if there were no pervs in this world i would have probably ran around topless!
Nowadays i paint my nails and love floral dresses.
I took that photo and LOVE Zach’s choice to wear dresses and be a fine lady and doesn’t give a SH*t. May he always be oblivious to what people think. What a gift. thanks for telling a great tale.
I recall reading a similar article which was also very good. Check this out: http://nerdyapplebottom.com/2010/11/02/my-son-is-gay/
Kids should be able to play make believe without worrying about ignorant old folks. When I was a kid I played war and dressed up like an army soldier, I also dressed up like a cowboy and I played baseball. For Halloween I was a football player and my little sister was my cheerleader. That’s all it was, playing make believe.
I wish I could make every person in the world read this. So inspiring and moving. Kids should be kids without having their intentions questioned. They don’t know gender roles or gay/straight at 3y/o. Maybe there is some part of them that knows gay/straight but their innocent intentions should never be judged by an outsider who just wishes he would have gotten a baby doll once for a gift.
My little brother was teased by one of my aunts for being girly and now my brother is very homophobic. I blame the teasing. We were raised in the same house, same community, but that’s the difference. I wasn’t teased for being a tomboy or called butch, I was just the only girl who had to play with the boys or play alone.
It fills my heart with joy that you are such a wonderful dad
Bravo! My parents never made me feel like I had to like or do anything b/c I was a girl and I think I am a better person for it. Sounds like you got some awesome kidlets!
its terrible that the man would say something like that. i actually wish my younger cousin would let me do his hair… “aahh!! what are you trying to do!!!”
I love this story, you are a great role model to your son; it also reminds me of when my son (now 7) used to love to dress in my high heels and wear nail polish. He would pick out colors and either paint his nails himself or have me do it for him. Sometimes while we were out and about to beaches or parks I would get comments from adults or other children. I ignored them and always told my son that he could be whoever he wanted to be. Shame on the people that still hold tight to stereotypes!
wow this gave me goosebumps!!! beautiful
i love everything you write. and i applaud you for letting your child be a child, i have a three year old who loves disney princess movies (who doesnt, right) and sings along to all their songs. hes still to play dress up though when i color my nails he comes over and gives me a finger at a time to color for him, and then proceeds to giving me his toe nails, his dads a little upset but i remind him hes a baby and that we dont live the dark ages, and to let our child do his thing, so he does. i grew up in a family where a boy gets away with everythign while the girls are expected to do as they were told, sadly that kept me from experiencing alot of small things which is why in turn i know i will never assume my son should do only certain things based on his gender nor a daughter if i ever have one.