Is it bad that I let my daughter act like a boy?

Question

My daughter is 2 1/2 and she likes a lot of boys things, like thomas the train and spider man and trucks and stuff. I get a lot of weird comments when I talk to people and I tell them what my daughter likes. Is it really so bad that she has a preference for boys stuff? She also has lots of dolls and girly things too, she plays with them too and acts like a little mommy, and she likes to go shopping for new clothes and such and I do dress her like a girl ( she has no problem with that, just a problem with clothes in general ) but she isnt exclusive to girly things. Should I try to put a stop to it or let her like what she likes? I see no problem with letting her have these types of things. She has fun with them.

I dont want to take anything away, she is so happy with her things, and i couldnt care less what sexual orientation she grows up to be, i just wanted to see if it was appropriate, I dont know any other little girls who are like this....I like being the mom who doesnt push any stereotype on my girl, but some of the things people say to me are just out there. I even think all little boys should have a doll even if it is just a boy cabbage patch

Answer 1

I am so proud of you for letting your daughter be herself! There is nothing wrong with the way she likes to play, and don't let anyone tell you differently.

Answer 2

Let her play and don't keep talking about it in front of her or she will try to get more attention with the boy stuff. She could get upset or loose self-esteem also if she perceives that you and others consider her bad for playing with what she sees as toys, not boy or girl toys. She isn't able to make the distinction yet and doesn't realize there is a difference. That will come at 4-5 when she learns to play doctor! HA! HA! Chill out and enjoy! Let dad play cars with her and begin the most important bond of her life.

Answer 3

umm there is no such thing as "acting like a boy" the toys and dresses and such are socially constructed. You should be happy and embrace the fact that she is interested in many things, not just dolls. I love playing w/my brothers' toys! don't put a stop to a child's play unless it is not safe. Be more open minded. Let her pick out her own cloths (even though it wont match) let her pick out her own toys!

Answer 4

Don't worry about it and don't pay attention to what anyone says--they shouldn't be butting in anyway.

My 2 year old son wears my high heels and carries one of my little purses around. He is obsessed with anything that can carry items--gift bags, boxes, etc. He also loves pink!

He still loves to play in the mud and roughhouse with the dog and his daddy. He will grow out of the shoe/purse thing and into something else. Once your daughter sees other little girls doing girly things, she may change. Even if she doesn't, she is going to have varied interests and likes/dislikes. Don't try to mold her based on her gender; it can hold her back.

Answer 5

i suggest you read books or articles about child psychology, because you dont know enough and too little knowledge is dangerous...especially when it comes to raising children.

anyway, your daughter is still 2 1/2 and there is completely nothing wrong with allowing her to play will all kinds of toys, as long as its not physically harmful to her. toddlers are in a stage where they have to resolve a developmental conflict known as "autonomy vs. shame and doubt". so those are the two sides of the coin. if you just allow your child to deal with anything she wants to, you're actually reinforcing her to have autonomy or independence. but when you try to stop her and force her to do what you want her to do, then you're actually diminishing her already-developing capacity to being independent and autonomous. some people make the mistake of thinking that children are "little adults" but they're not. they have their own set of thinking very different from ours. and we should not try to conform them with ours as well. it doesnt necessarily mean that because a child plays boys' toys when they were young then they will become boyish or a lesbian when they grow up. it doesnt work that way.

just allow her to tickle and play with whatever she enjoys and then you'll be encouraging her to develop her autonomy very early in life...and that's the positive side of the coin. good luck.

Answer 6

Good lord no! Let her choose what she wants! There's nothing wrong with a girl being a tomboy. People should be who they want to be. And if people are funny towards you after telling them that. Then they're the weird ones. Let your little girl choose what she likes. She'll love you for the freedom when she gets older.

Answer 7

2 1/2 years? This is not a problem in the least. She will go through stages so don't worry about it.
I gotta laugh because my wife and I had a good laugh when my son was young and she was in a hurry for him to start walking. We joked that it looks like when he finally gets a job he'll be crawling and dragging along his briefcase. Now he carries his briefcase but he walks.

Answer 8

Theres isn't a way to "act" like a boy. Let her act how she wants. If people have weird comments, that is their problem. Explain to them that every child has their own likes and dislikes and that there is nothing wrong with that. Nurture and support your daughters interestes. Good luck!

Answer 9

She is only two. At this age she does not understand that girls are suppose to play with dolls and boys play with spider man. Even if she did understand, she probley wouldn't care. She is having fun, leave her be.

Answer 10

Your daughter's happiness is what is important. In the long run, what difference will it make if she liked Spiderman when she was 2? What she will remember is that her mother always wanted her to be happy.

Stop listening to what others have to say. She is not their daughter. If they will not stop, then tell them to butt out! I mean, what are they, anyway? Parents of the year, or something?