5 year old son only wants to play with girl toys

Barby - posted on 07/19/2011

I have a 5 year old boy that enjoys playing with girl things and wants really long hair like Rapunzel and says he likes barbies. I am always curious as to why he likes these things, so when he brings it up, I ask questions like "what is fun about playing with barbies?" He told me that he likes barbies because you can take off their clothes and see their butt. Once I heard that, I wasn't concerned anymore, because that is not the reason girls like to play with barbies. He also told me that he wanted to decorate his room in pink and purple and when I asked why, he said, so that when girls come over they will like his room and then like him too. He also loves Hanna Montana and Justin Bieber (he has the Bieber hair style). I think all of this is fine, honestly. I think back to high school and college to the guys that were constantly dressing up in wigs and dresses for Halloween and they did it all for fun.

Firebird - posted on 06/28/2011

Who cares? Let him play with whatever toys he wants.

Amber - posted on 06/28/2011

Don't push your luck Jodi :-P hahaha

Stifler's - posted on 06/28/2011

What is girl stuff? Kids play with whatever they want, I don't see the problem he is totally normal.

Jodi - posted on 06/28/2011

Group hugs?

Amber - posted on 06/28/2011

I don't think I've ever agreed with all of you ladies at the same time before :) This is kind of nice.

JuLeah - posted on 06/28/2011

What is a girl toy? Girls can't play with trucks? Girls won't ever need to know how to change a tire, or throw a ball? Boys won't ever need to know how to be gentle, hold a baby, or cook?

He wants to play with his sister and imation play is really big for five yr olds.

When kids are forced to play with gender spific toys, they don't learn as much and feel shame for wishing to explore all aspects of themselves.

Real men can change a baby. Real men cook. Real men are gentle, kind, sweet. Real men use their language skills and creative side. Real men can play with girls on equal footing. Real men are not frightened of 'looking' sissy. Real men don't think being female is less .... he is making effort here to grow up as a real man ... let him

Jodi - posted on 06/28/2011

I have a photo (I was sneaky) of my 13 year old playing with his little sister with her Barbie dolls......bahahaha. He was doing it to be nice, but still, I am glad he isn't embarrassed to do it.

Now I have that photo put aside to drag out on his 21st :P

~♥Little Miss - posted on 06/28/2011

I have to agree with the other ladies. There is really no problem. Toys are toys, especially at this age. He is going to have to deal with boy vs girl stuff plenty later on. Let him enjoy the toys while he can.

Kate CP - posted on 06/28/2011

...That's a problem? Why is this such a big deal? He's 5...let him be the person he wants to be.

Krista - posted on 06/28/2011

I'm with Amber. Why is this a problem? Let him play with her toys, as long as he's not being destructive with them.

Besides, what ARE girl toys?

Dolls? Men nurture their babies. Cooking stuff? Men are chefs, and many men are quite competent in the kitchen. Dress-up stuff? Plenty of male actors have donned drag and been paid quite handsomely for it.

Really when you think about it, IS there such a thing as "girl" toys and "boy" toys? Males and females have extremely broad and varied interests, so it's ludicrous to pigeonhole certain interests as being solely for one gender.

Amber - posted on 06/28/2011

I'm missing the part where this is a problem? Unless he's breaking her toys or refusing to share them, it's really a non-issue.

My 4 year old son likes Dora, plays house, loves babies, and cooks in his toy kitchen. He also plays with cars, loves soccer, and is obsessed with power tools.
I don't tell him what toys he should play with or encourage him to only play "boy" games. I let him be whoever he wants to be.

Jodi - posted on 06/28/2011

Interesting. My 6 year old daughter likes to play with "boys" toys. She is HUGELY into playing with cars and lego, and has also inherited her brother's dinosaur collection. I never thought to be concerned about it. So I wonder why it is that parents of boys get concerned when they play with "girls" toys.....honestly, it really is the same thing. Just let him play with what makes him happy.

Tara - posted on 06/28/2011

It is quite likely just a phase, but honestly the more you "encourage/push" him to play with "boy" toys only, the more likely he is to be contrary and keep playing with the "girl" toys.
To be honest, I don't really see why it should be a problem - most kids will play with things that interest them until those things no longer interest them.
Both of my girls play with things that are typically "boy" things - cars, pokemon, dinosaurs, etc - but, they also play "girl" things - dolls, tea party, etc.
They went through a phase last month when all they wanted to watch was My Little Pony and Fairytopia from Barbie. This month they want to watch Pokemon and Bob the Builder.
I just encourage them to play with things they find interesting because I don't ever want them to get the idea that they can't do/watch/like something because it's only for boys or only for girls - I want them to learn that everyone likes a wide variety of things and it doesn't matter if it is a "boy" or "girl" thing, it is what they like that matters. I figure that will hold true as they become adults and they will understand that a woman can do a job that is typically for men or a man can do a job that is typically for a woman.