do you think it affects them in a negative way? My son is 3 yrs old.
2007-03-19 14:22:54 · 32 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
I can speak for most dads when I say that it is frustrating to have your son do things that aren't typically masculine. The fact of the matter is, that our children very much want to mimic our activities. They also have no concept (unless taught) that they are doing something that might be considered socially unacceptable.
That being said, it still bothers me a little when my son wants to carry a purse, or puts on his Mom's shoes. It only means that he loves her, and wants to do the things that she does. I'm going to guess that he probably likes trucks and dinosaurs and other boyish things, just like every other three year old boy.
Relax, it's ok.
2007-03-19 14:36:29 · answer #1 · answered by Aric 2 · 5⤊ 0⤋
I have don't boys ... however, I wouldn't care if my son played w/ dolls or brushed their hair. If anything that shows to me that he's sensitive and that's a GREAT quality in a boy and he will eventually grow to be a man. I would think by taking them away or not letting him play w/ them if he wants to would make it confusing and may even cause a complex. Being a child and playing happily and positively w/ any toy can't harm them in a negative way ... I would think only your husband's reaction (which I'm assuming didn't go on in front of your son) would be the only negative affect in this situation.
Now ... if your son was like 14yrs then I would be concerned ... lol
Good Luck :)
2007-03-19 14:38:50 · answer #2 · answered by second time around 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My son is 5 and he still likes playing with dolls. He plays with boy toys as well. I don't see anything wrong with it. My brother played with my dolls and we played together with them. And there is nothing wrong with him. He is dating a beatiful girl now. Besides young kids like bright colors and face it dolls are bright colors. And as for brushing and doing their hair well my son does my hair alot. He just loves little girls. So don't work about it. Cuz he will stop playing with the dolls when he is ready to. And what does your husband thinks will happen? Tell him to just let the boy play and have fun. He is just 3 years old he knows no different. Good luck to you and your family.
2007-03-19 18:44:41 · answer #3 · answered by MS_CANDYLICKER 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, it is not going to affect him in a negative way. At that age kids learn by watching and copying. If he watches you brush your hair, he may just be trying to mimic that by brushing the dolls hair. Or... Does he have an older or younger sister who plays with dolls? If so, he sees them having fun playing with the dolls so why can't he have fun playing with the doll as well? My nephew used to love playing with baby dolls when he was about that age. When his sister (one years old) got a couple of dolls, I think he played with them just as much or more than she did. He was just taking care of the baby like he had seen his mom do. He is now five and has totally outgrown that. He is sooo boy now! I wouldn't worry about it at all. He is just learning about the world around him and having fun!
2007-03-19 15:57:38 · answer #4 · answered by mchlyn 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a two year old son and a three year old daughter and my son also plays with baby dolls. I don't see a problem with it. I am sure as he grows older, he will grow out of it. I do not think that it will affect them in a negative way at all. They are just using their imagination and playing. Tell your husband to save his worrying for something more significant! Good Luck.
2007-03-19 14:32:00 · answer #5 · answered by BeThAnY 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Oh my Lord...my husband has freaked over this too but I eventually got him to back off. We have a 4 year old son and a 2 year old daughter so, naturally there are "dolls" in the house and other "girl" toys. They are at that age where you have to get 2 of everything because they will fight to the death if there is just one and they are just learning the concept of sharing...anyway, we had to get 2 toy vacuum cleaners for Christmas this past year and my husband hated it. My son plays with the My Pretty Ponies and he hates it. Children, at this age, do not understand stereotypes and have no true concept of male versus female. It's a toy and that is all they care about.
My daughter loves to play with transformers and superman, it doesn't mean she will be a lesbian but he doesn't care about that (the double standard thing). It's a male knee jerk reaction so, the best you can do is stroke his ego a little bit, encourage him as a father and within the next year you will see your son becoming more of a "boy". Trust me on that one. In the year from 3-4 years old my son has gone ALL BOY on us.
2007-03-19 14:30:27 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
The interesting thing is that if the situation were switched, and a girl was playing with action figures, no one would question it. For some reason people seem to have an issue when it comes to boys doing what are deemed "feminine things". Playing with a doll does not make you homosexual, especially at the age of 3. In fact, it is a great way to learn to care for someone else, which evolve into parenting skills later in life. Its great for kids to be androgynous (stong in both male and female characteristics) because it will help them grow into strong adults.
2007-03-19 14:34:08 · answer #7 · answered by Mia1385 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It doesnt affect them at all. I have 3 boys and all of them did that, and even played with my make up. They are ages 10, 7 and 3 now and they are ALL boy. They dont do it now, except for the 3 year old, but there is not a thing wrong with it.
2007-03-19 14:58:15 · answer #8 · answered by Blondi 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is absolutely nothing wrong with a little boy wanting to play with a doll!! It's just a toy to a child that age.
It's funny how sensitive some men can be when it comes to their son's playing with "girl" toys lol
My son's FAVORITE stuffed animal is a little bear dressed in a pink and red jumper with little glittery wings lol (it was a valentine's day bear) My husband can't STAND the bear...or the fact that his one year old son carries it everywhere and gives it hugs and kisses lol Personally I think he just likes the bright colors and the crinkly sound the wings make. No harm in that! :)
Kids will be kids :) Now....if your son was 17 and had a secret stash of baby dolls in his closet or something...that would be a different story! lol
2007-03-19 14:38:48 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
No it doesn't affect them in a negative way. My son also plays with dolls, so did my brothers and they are all very masculine. It's not a big deal at all.
2007-03-19 15:03:24 · answer #10 · answered by Haulie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋