I'd tell her that long ago, women weren't allowed to wear pants, but now people can choose to wear whatever we want. That's what I told dd in a similar situation. She thought it was terrible, unfair and mean that women weren't allowed to wear pants, and that boys and girls should be able to wear pants or dresses.

I guess your other option (aside from saying people wear what they like and feel comfortable in) would be to shame him and encourage her to think poorly of him. Plenty of parents go that route too.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It was inappropriate of your daughter to walk up to a stranger and ask. Teach her boundaries.

You're kidding, right? A child learns about the world by asking questions. I certainly hope you aren't a parent.

Not pp, but a parent of 4 and 6 year olds and agree that by the end of K children shouldn't be walking up to people to ask about their physical appearance. 3 -4 years old, fine. 5-6 year olds should have a better sense of what is polite and ok (asking you or the babysitter about it in private if she's curious) and what is impolite (walking up to a stranger to question how someone else looks).

Never seen a boy in modern skirts, but plenty of them in kilts!

People can wear whatever they like.

Anonymous wrote:It was inappropriate of your daughter to walk up to a stranger and ask. Teach her boundaries.

You're kidding, right? A child learns about the world by asking questions. I certainly hope you aren't a parent.

*shorts not shirts.

Seriously? I live in North Carolina. Another boy at DS's elementary school regularly attends wearing "feminine" clothing. Most recently it was a pair of pink and black tiger striped shirts. And a rainbow sparkly sweater thing. Nobody gives a crap. It's a small religious school in a blue county so maybe that helps. But some of you need to relax.

Anonymous wrote:
How about, "I guess he liked it! Mostly girls wear skirts, but there's no rule that says only girls can wear skirts."

Perfect. Just state the facts. No need to explain why, which you really can't since you don't know the boy and his habits.

Op, I'd recommend a conversation with your daughter about how it's inappropriate and unkind to confront other people about their appearances. That seems far more pressing and timely a lesson for her than what to make of a 3 year old boy in a skirt.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op I would tell your daughter just like girls wear shorts, pants etc boys can wear skirts and dresses too whatever they want to wear.

This. That's what I'd do.

Yep, perfect, simple response.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would just say that usually boys don't wear skirts, but sometimes they do, and that is fine. People should wear what they want to wear.

What if your daughter wanted to wear skimpy clothes? Does this same philosophy follow?

I'm very liberal. If my kindergarten son had asked to wear a dress to school, I would have said no. I don't need to use my child to make a point. I'm not trying to call attention to myself as the "cool parent ". I know how disruptive a boy in a dress could potentially be in a kindergarten classroom. There is no reason to add unnecessary challenges. So at home? Sure. In school. No. Just common sense. Sadly, it is lacking in many families.

"I'm very liberal." No, not as liberal as you think you are, PP.

It was inappropriate of your daughter to walk up to a stranger and ask. Teach her boundaries.

Just say the boy wants attention.

Tell her about kilts. Boys, girls, men, women can wear whatever they want. Maybe she'll want to wear something "boy-ish"

I think the kid's mother answered well.

A friend's son (6) wears dresses and skirts and has grown his hair long. The mother is an anxious wreck about it, but going along with his whims...other friends have given them their daughter's hand-me-downs. Surprisingly few kids have said a word to the kid about his clothes.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would just say that usually boys don't wear skirts, but sometimes they do, and that is fine. People should wear what they want to wear.

What if your daughter wanted to wear skimpy clothes? Does this same philosophy follow?

I'm very liberal. If my kindergarten son had asked to wear a dress to school, I would have said no. I don't need to use my child to make a point. I'm not trying to call attention to myself as the "cool parent ". I know how disruptive a boy in a dress could potentially be in a kindergarten classroom. There is no reason to add unnecessary challenges. So at home? Sure. In school. No. Just common sense. Sadly, it is lacking in many families.

Greeks, Egyptians and Scots males all wore skirts, called kilts. It's still popular with the Scots.