by JennM

Created on: July 30, 2009

Boys are usually given toy guns from an early age and girls are given dolls. But there are boys who play with dolls and girls who play with guns and nothing is wrong with that. My two year old actually plays with a doll. But that is thanks to my three year old son. I took them to the dollar store one day and was letting them each pick out a toy. The three year old picked up a baby doll and handed it to his brother. It was a sweet thought....but....not exactly what I had in mind. I tried to replace the doll with a different toy; a car, stuffed bear, toy gun, book, etc. Nothing worked. He wanted that doll and nothing else. Maybe it was because his brother gave it to him, maybe it was because he sees the kids at daycare play with them, who knows. But he was not leaving that store without that doll or without throwing a tantrum. So...I bought him the doll and planned on hiding it from his dad. But he was excited and showed his daddy what he got at the store. Dad was not too enthused but I assured him that it would be good for our son (as I was assuring myself as well) and prepare him to be a nurturing father one day. So, yes, my son plays with a doll, but he plays with a ton of toy guns as well. Playing with a doll hasn't made him seem more feminine at all. In fact, his brother who is more into toy guns and karate is more sensitive than the younger one is.

But I think "guns" are kind of programmed into boy's minds and "dolls" into girl's. From the beginning boys are given toys that are blue or green or "boy" colors and girls are given toys that are pink or purple. We give them what we want them to have and that is all they know. Some parents, which I admit...I sometimes do, tell their kids, "No, that is for girls." Or "That is for boys." So kids get it into their heads that it is wrong to play with certain toys because their parents make them think so.

I'm not going to let either of my sons carrying around a purple purse or wear a pink princess shirt, but I'm not going to keep them from playing with a doll or a "girl" toy if that is what they want to play with. Let kids be kids and play with an assortment of toys to boost their imagination and creativity.

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