A few weeks ago a mom said something wonderful and rare that inspired this post. Upon entering the room and seeing her son wrapping a doll up in a blanket, she smiled and said, “Oh, I’ll have to buy him a doll!” It’s worth noting that five minutes before that he was pretending to mow the lawn.
How beautiful it would be to be free of the notion of girls versus boys toys. We have had situations where a parent would get upset if his/her son played dress up or used dolls and forbid them to do it again. How sad! And the thing is, boys really get the bad rap. If a girl is being rough and wants to play with trucks, she is laughed off as being a tomboy. The boy, however, is looked upon with worry over future sexual orientation.
Especially during the preschool years, children are exploring their world and trying to make sense of it all. Role playing enables them to express how they perceive those around them. It also helps them investigate and mimic the nurturing roles of the immediate people in their lives such as moms, dads, sisters, brothers, etc,. This also expands to people who enter their lives like doctors, police officers and teachers.
So next time you observe your child engaged in an activity you don’t deem as stereotypically appropriate, why not take a step back and RELAX? A boy playing with a doll may be an awesome dad and husband one day and the little girl with the truck could be a future top notch mechanic or engineer.
~ Jackie & Jo-Jo
Dear Jackie and Jo JO. I just wanted you to know how much I enjoy reading each and every new entry on your blog. I wish I had it for advice when I was a young father.I know I will be a much better grandfather when that day rolls around ( not rushing it ). I look foward to reading your new book when its out. Please let me know how I can get a copy. and when !! Thanks M Hartman Monroe NC.