Anonymous wrote:Yay! Parents, tell your children that they don't have to follow the rules. Girls, you want to get your ears pierced? Sure. Paint your nails, why not? Boys want to get a mohawk? Why didn't I think of it?! Let's all just let our little children do what makes them happy!

Exactly where are these rules to which you are referring? Did I miss the handout from the extreme lunatics groups as we left the hospital?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter was at a playground today (in NW DC) and our babysitter tells me that a little boy around the age of 3 was there too. He was wearing a skirt. My daughter approached his mom and asked her why he was wearing a skirt because boys aren't supposed to wear skirts. The mom apparently asked my daughter, "well why can't boys wear skirts? who says they can't?"

So tonight my daughter was full of questions and I wasn't sure how to respond. We are fairly liberal FWIW. Should I tell her boys can wear skirts and some choose to? I'm a bit conflicted on this one. We are friends with gay couples but none of them cross dress.

What the fuck is that trans/homophobic shit? You need to take a good look at the values you are modeling for your daughter. Of course boys can wear skirts. I'm glad that mom asked your daughter to question her assumptions, since she certainly isn't getting an open mind from you.

Yes, this is so weird. A 3 year old boy wearing a skirt has nothing to do with sexuality. And being gay often (usually?) has nothing to do with cross-dressing. Making these connections/associations is so strange, especially from someone who says she is "fairly liberal". I really don't see why this is something to struggle with.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter was at a playground today (in NW DC) and our babysitter tells me that a little boy around the age of 3 was there too. He was wearing a skirt. My daughter approached his mom and asked her why he was wearing a skirt because boys aren't supposed to wear skirts. The mom apparently asked my daughter, "well why can't boys wear skirts? who says they can't?"

So tonight my daughter was full of questions and I wasn't sure how to respond. We are fairly liberal FWIW. Should I tell her boys can wear skirts and some choose to? I'm a bit conflicted on this one. We are friends with gay couples but none of them cross dress.

Just tell your daughter the truth. Some boys were skirts. If she asks why it's because their moms are attention seeking idiots.

Hahahaha perfect response.

Yup! When I was teaching, we had a mom who sent her son in with nail polish and a bow in his hair. Sometimes sparkly pumps. She said he wanted to wear it and she believed in allowing expression. Bullshit. She was an attention seeking drama queen and every teacher and parent in the school saw it. The things that were said behind her back were pretty awful. The kid did not care about wearing bows in his hair. And if he did, she could have easily allowed it at home.

That mother would walk into the classroom with the stupid "I dare you to say anything" face. Thankfully, the kid was likable.

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 am not PP, but I agree with her.

Yes, daughter can wear skimpy clothes. I wore Jordache Jeans and a bikini... it was a scandal.

My nephew wore barrettes and my son painted his toe nails.... because their sisters did... I did explain that people may stare, he may be bullied and that people might ask questions... make a decision, live with the consequences. My son also wore a "woody" (toy story) outfit for 3 months straight and cow boy boots with shorts in the summer.

With my daughter I said I preferred she wear shorts that don't have assets hanging out and dresses she could sit and bend over (thank you volleyball shorts). I also explained to her that people may stare, people may judge her and people might say things behind her back.... make a decision, live with the consequences.

Pushing limits is what kids do I prefer top gently guide instead of pushing back.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter was at a playground today (in NW DC) and our babysitter tells me that a little boy around the age of 3 was there too. He was wearing a skirt. My daughter approached his mom and asked her why he was wearing a skirt because boys aren't supposed to wear skirts. The mom apparently asked my daughter, "well why can't boys wear skirts? who says they can't?"

So tonight my daughter was full of questions and I wasn't sure how to respond. We are fairly liberal FWIW. Should I tell her boys can wear skirts and some choose to? I'm a bit conflicted on this one. We are friends with gay couples but none of them cross dress.

Just tell your daughter the truth. Some boys were skirts. If she asks why it's because their moms are attention seeking idiots.

Hahahaha perfect response.

I would explain that boys also can play with baby/Barbie dolls and push baby carriages too.

That in our current world, most anything goes.

I have a different perspective on this.

Kids come up to my daughter all the time and ask her why she is riding in a wheelchair. They want a snippet of information because they see this as a choice. They are not asking about disability and the meaning of medical diagnosis. They want information about why she is sitting down instead of walking.

Similarly, in this situation, your child wants to know why that boy is wearing pants instead of a skirt to the playground. She does not want information about transgenderism, cross dressing, and freedom of expression. She wants simple practical information about that boy's decision to wear a dress.

I would tell her he decided to wear a dress today. If she asks more questions, follow her lead.

Anonymous wrote:My daughter was at a playground today (in NW DC) and our babysitter tells me that a little boy around the age of 3 was there too. He was wearing a skirt. My daughter approached his mom and asked her why he was wearing a skirt because boys aren't supposed to wear skirts. The mom apparently asked my daughter, "well why can't boys wear skirts? who says they can't?"

So tonight my daughter was full of questions and I wasn't sure how to respond. We are fairly liberal FWIW. Should I tell her boys can wear skirts and some choose to? I'm a bit conflicted on this one. We are friends with gay couples but none of them cross dress.

Tell her boys can wear skirts the same way girls can wear pants

Anonymous wrote:

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).

Asking questions about a boy who is clearly CHOOSING to wear a skirt/dress in a public place where he knows that's not the convention is not the same as asking questions about something they didn't choose like the color of their skin or a birth mark.

Anonymous wrote:My daughter was at a playground today (in NW DC) and our babysitter tells me that a little boy around the age of 3 was there too. He was wearing a skirt. My daughter approached his mom and asked her why he was wearing a skirt because boys aren't supposed to wear skirts. The mom apparently asked my daughter, "well why can't boys wear skirts? who says they can't?"

So tonight my daughter was full of questions and I wasn't sure how to respond. We are fairly liberal FWIW. Should I tell her boys can wear skirts and some choose to? I'm a bit conflicted on this one. We are friends with gay couples but none of them cross dress.

What the fuck is that trans/homophobic shit? You need to take a good look at the values you are modeling for your daughter. Of course boys can wear skirts. I'm glad that mom asked your daughter to question her assumptions, since she certainly isn't getting an open mind from you.

Anonymous wrote:Yay! Parents, tell your children that they don't have to follow the rules. Girls, you want to get your ears pierced? Sure. Paint your nails, why not? Boys want to get a mohawk? Why didn't I think of it?! Let's all just let our little children do what makes them happy!

What's wrong with jewelry, make up, and hair cuts? Should women not braid their hair or wear pants either? I'm pretty sure those rules are in the Bible.

Anonymous wrote:Yay! Parents, tell your children that they don't have to follow the rules. Girls, you want to get your ears pierced? Sure. Paint your nails, why not? Boys want to get a mohawk? Why didn't I think of it?! Let's all just let our little children do what makes them happy!

Um, I'm pretty strict but I would let my children do all these things.

So a boy wants to wear a skirt. Tell you daughter people wear what makes them happy.

Yay! Parents, tell your children that they don't have to follow the rules. Girls, you want to get your ears pierced? Sure. Paint your nails, why not? Boys want to get a mohawk? Why didn't I think of it?! Let's all just let our little children do what makes them happy!

I agree-- seems like the obvious answer is to say that at one time women weren't allowed to wear pants but no one needs to follow rules like that if they don't want to.

I heard Eddie Izzard interviewed and he was asked a question about why he wears women's clothes and he answered by saying "they aren't really, they belong to me".

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter was at a playground today (in NW DC) and our babysitter tells me that a little boy around the age of 3 was there too. He was wearing a skirt. My daughter approached his mom and asked her why he was wearing a skirt because boys aren't supposed to wear skirts. The mom apparently asked my daughter, "well why can't boys wear skirts? who says they can't?"

So tonight my daughter was full of questions and I wasn't sure how to respond. We are fairly liberal FWIW. Should I tell her boys can wear skirts and some choose to? I'm a bit conflicted on this one. We are friends with gay couples but none of them cross dress.

Just tell your daughter the truth. Some boys were skirts. If she asks why it's because their moms are attention seeking idiots.

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