Are you happy?

"Mommy, are you happy that I am a Princess Boy?"  Oh, my sweet love, how those words just cut my heart in two!  I have done everything in my power to show you how much we love you and accept you for who you are meant to be.  How I have gone to the ends of the earth to educate ourselves and others about your gender creativity.  How every comment that I hear is deflected, defended, educated!  My sweet boy, all of that is so important, but the most important, I now see, is that you see that we are indeed happy!  Happy that you are unique, you are who God meant you to be, you are ours, you are independent, you just want to be yourself!  Yes, my amazing boy, I am happy that you are a Princess Boy, because you are YOU!!

Guest Post...From My Big Boy

My name is A. I have a review blog, and my brother is Z.
My brother has been loving dolls and Barbies since he was two, when we went to Disney World and meet Ariel. I have not always been accepting of him. Ironicly enough, I played with Littlest Pet Shop. But, now 10 years old, I love him for who he is.
My brother plays with more 'boyish' toys. He loves LEGOs, Batman, and Beyblade.
Months ago, Z went to Target with us and bought a Disney Tangled Rapunzel Tower. At checkout, the man asked 'This for you, little dude?'. Z said 'Actually, it is.'. Now, normaly, Z would be embarrassed. None of that.
He also likes prinncess movies and super hero movies. He likes The Little Mermaid, Green Lantern, Harry Potter, Tangled and a lot more.
If Z likes Spider-Man, fine. If he likes Barbie, fine. I will always love him.

The Love of a Brother

"Z there is nothing wrong with who you are, and I love you just the way you are.". Oh how those words just brought tears to my eyes...my amazing, wise, ACCEPTING 10 year old could teach many grown ups a much needed lesson with that wisdom!!

Sustainable Friendships

We have never intentionally hidden Z's gender creativity from friends or potential friends. Most likely if someone new has come into our life they have seen him carrying around Barbies. Most haven't felt the need to broach the subject...although I know they must be scrambling within their brains to figure it all out! Most wait until we approach the subject, which puts us in such a vulnerable spot! What are they thinking? Do they really want to pursue a friendship? Are we just the crazy circus freaks that they can't stop staring at? Will they really be able to accept us? Will they say all the right things to our faces only to turn on us when our backs are turned? Will they allow their children to play with Z without hesitation? Will they judge our parenting? Will our friendship be sustainable?

How have your friendships held up? How do you approach new friendships?

Realtives and Siblings

How does your family react to your gender creative child? Are they accepting? Do they embrace your child's uniqueness? How do your other children feel about their gender creative sibling? Are they compassionate? Are they protective? I would love to know your experiences!!! I am working on a post about mine....

Advice Needed...

Have you felt the need to tell your child's school/teacher about their gender creativity?

What did you tell them? How did you approach the subject? What were their reactions?

We are grappling with this issue as the coming school year is fast approaching....as Z has been seen by more and more kiddos sporting his toe nail polish out in the community we are concerned about the implications of that as these same children see him in school....most specifically bullying! We want to be proactive but are concerned about "outing" our child to grown ups that may not understand this journey! Z is very cautious with his gender creativity outside of our home, especially within the school environment. We want to make sure that whatever we decide it has a positive outcome.

Why?

Why does he have to be brave every time he leaves the house? Why can't he go to the library without having to worry about someone noticing his painted toes? Why can't he carry his Barbies through the store without being stared at? Why can't he ask for a doll, or a princess toy in his Happy Meal without having to defend his choice of toy? Why does he have to change out of his dress up clothes, necklaces and princess crowns because someone rings the doorbell? Why are people so mean, condescending, disdainful? He is not weird....he is not contagious...he is a little boy and he has feelings! He should not be afraid of what others will think, he should not have to be brave every time he leaves the house because his toe nails are painted!! He should be respected, accepted, carefree! Why do we live in a society where children are ridiculed simply for their choice of toy?