Boy versus Girl toys

I say let him. My son has a play kitchen and a play tea set, and a boy cabbage patch doll (mine from years ago). He also has a stroller that he adores. He likes to play with trains and blocks and cars as well.

I agree. Why not? My boy loves his play kitchen - okay, that's not really a girl-only toy, but he LOVES to play "tea-party" with is. He also has a baby doll he loves with a stroller and a diaper bag with supplies. And he loves to play with his sister's girly toys. He is still ALL boy. Very rough and tumble. Batman dress-ups, lots of swords, etc. But from a kid's perspective, some of the girl toys are just cool. Dolls with houses or castles even, jewelry, - it's just fun stuff. I think it's fine for a boy to play with toys that encourage the creative, nurturing side. They will need it not only to be good dads, but it helps them get along with other kids in school and play-date settings.

I agree, why not...but dh, that's a different story! So, how do you suggest explaining to dh that a boy playing with a Barbie is no different than a girl playing with a hotwheels car?

Just found this blog while I was looking for this poem and thought it might be interesting - it is on the same lines as this thread. I really liked it. [url=http://www.emilyanne.net/2007/the-father-in-him/]Emily Anne The Father in Him[/url] Here is the poem I was looking for when I came across the blog (I remember it from a child developemnt class...20 years ago): At the Church Christmas Party My little Johnny, who was three, Climbed with lights in his eyes onto Santaےs knee. And what would you like this year, my boy? If I can IӒll bring your favorite toy. Johnny didnԒt even need time to think. I want a dolly,Ӕ he said, that will eat and drink.Ӕ Twelve parents, at least, turned and looked at me And a big man said suspiciously, Next year heӒll want a dress or two. I replied, ԓIts the father in him coming through.Ҕ Well, thatӒs not what some folks say. A kids characterҒs built by the way hell play.Ҕ My little Johnny, who was three, Climbed with lights in his eyes from Santas knee. And the big man grinned as he watched his son Ask Santa Claus for a tank and a gun. ҖCarol Lynn Pearson Not that kids CAN'T play with tanks and guns and be just fine - but it is something to think about... I liked some of the comments on the blog - A few had good thoughts to help with your DH, bajj. :) My nephew also tried to nurse his doll when his baby sister was born (like in one of the blog responses), and his father about had a hernia. He was NOT impressed. That was the same year his 3 year old son asked to be tinkerbell for Halloween. Again, hubby was not okay with that. But from a kid's perspective, why not? Tinkerbell is cool! She can fly, has magic, fights pirates, etc. And the nursing thing - he's just trying to take good care of his dolly. Of COURSE he grew out of it. He's fine. All boy. I say let them play with whatever they love. Wherever their interests lie. Of course, if they are TWELVE and still playing with dolls.... I might encourage a diversion to a new interest!!! :)

I have to say I agree with you all. Let them play with what they want to play with. Society seems to set what boys and girls can play with.

My Ds(6) loves, loves, LOVES to do tea party with me. If we can rope Dad in, too, he likes it even better. He also loves to pretend to be a waiter, taking our "order" and "writing" (he can't read/write yet) it down, then rushing off to get it and bring it back. Part of what he likes about tea party is the one-on-one conversations, the attention to the little details like cream and sugar, etc. It's a special treat, and a time to be particular about what we are doing and saying. He also had a doll, and his fave right now is a little bear. This bear does everything with him, and he cares for it very gently -- after fighting battles and jousting with/against him all day. :D (We're studying the Middle Ages right now! LOL) All of my boys play(ed) with dolls and other girl toys. They love the Barbie car. :evilgrin: They like(d) to play with the kitchen and the cookware, etc. etc. etc. Dh doesn't have a problem with this because it is age appropriate and it closely mimics what Dh does with the kids. My Dh works graveyard so is home during the day. He does dishes, he does laundry, he does floors, he does windows, he does diapers, he scrubs the bath tub...in fact, you name it, he does it. They boys see their dad take care of babies, cook, and clean. They also see him do all the outdoor chores, hunt, fish, fix the vehicles, mend fence, and any of the 1,001 things that need to be attended to on our property. Happily for me Dh doesn't see our roles as "only you" and "only me", but very much takes an "us" approach.

Barksum I couldn't agree more with you.

William's Doll (from Free to Be You and Me) When my friend William was five years old,He wanted a doll to hug and hold,"A doll," said William, "is what I need,To wash and clean, and dress and feed.A doll to give a bottle to,And put to bed when day is through,And any time my doll gets ill,I'll take good care of it," said my friend Bill. A doll! A doll! William wants a doll!"Don't be a sissy," said his best friend, Ed."Why would a boy want to play with a doll?Dolls are for girls," said his cousin Fred."Don't be a jerk," said his older brother."I know what to do," said his father to his mother. So his father bought him a basket ball,A badminton set, and that's not all.A bag of marbles, a baseball glove,And all the things a boy would love.And Bill was good at every game,Enjoyed them all, but just the same,When Billy's father praised his skill,"Can I please have a doll now," said my friend Bill. A doll! A doll! William wants a doll!A doll! A doll! William wants a doll! Then William's grandma arrived one day,And wanted to know what he'd like to play.And Bill said "Baseball's my favorite game,I like to play, but all the same,I'd give my bat and ball and glove,To have a doll that I could love.""How very wise," his grandma said.Said Bill: "But everyone says this instead:" A doll! A doll! William wants a doll!A doll! A doll! William wants a doll! So William's grandma, as I've been told,Bought him a doll to hug and hold,And William's father began to frown,But grandma smiled, and calmed him down.Explaining "William wants a doll,So when he has a baby some day,He'll know how to dress it,Put diapers on double,And gently caress it,To bring up a bubble,

specialk4b That was great! Thank you for sharing the poem!