Max is in touch with all the sides of his personality

My friend Tanya asked on Twitter recently whether any of us who had sons had bought our boys traditional 'girl' toys. She was being a bit provocative because that is her job (as editor of Living and Loving magazine, it is her job to spark conversation about parenting issues).  She had just bought her Max (copycat!) a doll and a pram.  In answer to her question, I thought I would share a pic of the corner of Max's room.

Although he is not genderless like some children, (WAY too much hard work to take a principled stand like that.  Principled stands are for people who have more time than I do) Max is in touch with all sides of his personality.

The girly side - note pink shopping cart, doll, pink blankie

The boy side - note lawnmower (with one wheel missing), golf club, broken spinning water gun thing belonging to Adam

The baby side - note Teletubby, toy helicopter

The domestic worker side - note broom

The future-orientated side - note as yet unused, slightly dust covered potty. 

As I have said before, at least one of my children likes dolls and prams. Because my daughter certainly doesn't.

Comments

[Sharon]

My son loves pink. His favorite color is red and light red = pink. I have often wondered why "girlish" colors have their own name, such as pink and lavender. But "boyish" colors do not, such as light blue and light green. He also has one doll and a stroller (pram). We used the doll to teach body parts (No, it is not anatomically correct. lol) and the stroller has wheels and he LOVES wheels. He also has a play kitchen as I do not cook much and he imitates his dad. ;-)

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I think it is stunning that you cater to all his "sides"! We have also bought a tractor and cars for our girl, but she prefers the girly stuff!
Although, she sometimes "shoots" us with her finger: "Peu, Peu!!" (I should go and buy that gun?)

[Heather]

I agree with you. I don't have the energy to do more than give them the ability to make the decisions of what they want to play with. The boys haven't shown any interest in their sister's few dolls she has, but then again, neither did she. They do love my friend's daughter's play kitchen. We never got one, but I bet if I did, they'd never play with it. They play with the one at my friend's house, as it's new and not theirs.

[Egg Donors Mom]

That's a great question that your friend posed. I feel that I've seen it asked many times before but it's a question that always sparks such interesting conversation. Providing them the option to play with a wide variety of toys is the best way to go because they'll pick what they want to play with.

[Cindy]

Interesting indeed! I remember one of my friends asking me if one of my boys play with their little sister's dolls and the only answer that I gave is "no, even my daughter doesn't play with her dolls, she loves riding her brothers' cars=)" And it doesn't really bother me at all.

[Brittany]

Love the pic, you are right that would take way too much time and effort! About your little girl not playing with dolls, I never did either, and I turned out just fine :)