My son has three younger sisters. He played dolls, he played dress up, he let them give him makeovers and polish his nails.

He's straight. He's just VERY secure in his manhood.

You’re awful. There — I said it.

I don’t buy my daughter Barbies because I don’t want her thinking that body type is something to aspire to, but she has plenty of other dolls. She also has dinosaurs, trains, and other things you probably think are only for boys.

You all are instigators. I’m sure they are his sisters.

That said, how is he playing with them, OP? Is he playing with them typically, like role playing? This is normal. Is he dressing them up and having him strut their stuff? Maybe he will be the next Ralph Lauren, who knows.

I played with Hot Wheels (I had the HUGE garage), Ghostbusters, Ninja Turtles, and ran in the muck and the mud with the boys. I’m grown up, married, and love my husband, if you know what I mean. I’m glad my mom didn’t give me shit about liking boy things, but I also understand it’s acceptable for girls and not boys. But if he’s gay, he’s gay; taking away his access to Barbie won’t change this.

Um, throw them out if you don't like them. You're the parent.

I suggest spending time cooking and baking with him. Playing pretend games.

Better you say it here than to him. You can hate it, but you’re letting him be himself.

Anonymous wrote:It’s okay OP. Some parents hate that their daughters play with them. You already know not to make a big deal about it and his interests will shift.

Yes, this. And If not, I hope you will love him as is.

Seven year olds like things for roughly 15 minutes and then move on. So you should probably just chill.

The fact that it bothers you so much probably warrants a little more reflection though.

It’s probably a good time to examine why you hate it so much. Because if it does turn out that he has more effeminate qualities as he grows older, you will have to respond to that in a way that does not destroy your relationship. If you think being effeminate or gay is the worst thing ever, work on that just in case.

It’s hard. I get it. Does not mean you don’t love or accept him if his interests are not what you expected. People will try and make you feel like a bad person/ mom for feeling this way. You are not! We all have ideas / expectations from our own frame of reference. Does not mean we can’t / won’t evolve.

We love our children and will adapt. It’s just we have moments where we want what we “thought “ we’d have. I really understand. Sending a big hug.

Where is he getting the Barbies from?

OP I just think the range of typical is much wider than you think.

Next up: he is gay or wants to transition genders

It’s okay OP. Some parents hate that their daughters play with them. You already know not to make a big deal about it and his interests will shift.

Why did u buy him barbies then. Duh.

I’m “saying” it here because I can’t say it anywhere else. I hate, hate, hate it. I cringe on the inside every time I see it. I wish my son would just play like other typical 7 year olds boys. You know, superheroes, cars, legos, Fortnite.

Cue the sleuth of nasty comments, but oh well.

I’m not a troll, either. Just needed to get this out of my system.