All Articles Tagged "toddlers"
How to Manage Toddler Tantrums in Public
Out of all the kids I have, my fourth child, the little girl peanut, is the two-est two-year-old I’ve ever had. She smacks her little brother in the face sometimes if he gets too close and she’s not in the mood for butterfly kisses; her favorite word is “No”; she thinks my laptop, which I frequently use because, uhm, that’s how I make a living, is the enemy, and swats at it if I don’t give her my full, 1000% attention.
Oh…and then there is the tantrums.
To Play or Not to Play: Your Son and the “Princess Boys”
“Boys have a penis. Girls have a vagina.” – Kindergarten Cop
Boys and girls, men and women, Mars and Venus, we are different. At a very young age, we learn the fabric of what separates one from the other. However, it is through observations and experiences that we form associations and embrace our “roles.” For years, the feminist movement has sought to blur the lines of gender roles in an effort to broaden the mindsets of little girls. No, a woman’s only ambitions are not (and should not) be limited to marriage and children. Yes, girls should explore the world of Barbie and G.I. Joe.; but, what about little boys?
Dylan, subject of the memoir My Princess Boy, appeared on TODAY with his mother to discuss her book and the tolerance she hopes to inspire in others. He was dressed in girls’ clothing…Dresses make him happy.
As the mother of a preschool child, I understand the curiosity of children. In purity and innocence, girls and boys alike play with any toy that appears exciting. They are attracted to bright colors, lights and dazzle so it is not surprising to see a boy playing with a Barbie townhouse. My mother-in-law used a baby doll to help prepare my oldest son for his younger brother and it worked quite well. Being taught to “help” turned a potentially jealous toddler into a loving, protective big brother. Had I been overly stringent about him playing with girl toys versus boy toys, the adjustment period would have been much more stressful.
I realize children learn something new every day. My sons see me put on makeup and wonder why I do it and how they can do it, too. When I brush my hair, they want to brush theirs and mine. It’s natural and does not imply anything other than that. I don’t buy them mascara or pink headbands. Those things are for girls. For that very reason, I do not understand why a mother would purchase dresses and skirts for her son. Whether an alternative world wants to accept it or not, some things are for boys and some things are not. Sparkly dresses are for girls, period. While there is no harm in innocent exploration, it becomes a problem when adults create a more complex situation.
Going as far as to purchase girls’ clothing for a male child not only (in lieu of the bullying phenomenon) places the child in physical and mental danger but also implies questions concerning sexuality. Those are decisions that should be made when the child is older. Will allowing your son to dress like a girl will make him gay? No. Will placing emphasis on his interest in pink princess gowns and sparkles garner negative attention that could lead him to form certain opinions about himself prematurely? Yes. Until decided otherwise, boys should be treated as boys and girls as girls.
It is confusing for little boys to see a little boy dressed like a girl. It does not make sense. Quite frankly, it is not something they should be burdened with trying to figure out. There is a fine line that separates maintaining the innocence of childhood and being open-minded from taking innate curiosities too seriously. At a time when my sons are attempting to grasp what it means to be a boy, it would be a disservice to them to add more complexity to their little worlds.
Want to know more about LaShaun Williams? Check out her blog Politically Unapologetic, where she shares thoughts on pop culture, love and life. Follow her on Twitter @itsmelashaun.
13 Scary Signs That Your Toddler Is a Pimp
All them creepy fangs, Frankensteins, and Eddie Long look-alikes roaming the streets might scare you half to death this Halloween season. But, before you start getting high and mighty about other people’s ghoulishness and foolishness, we thought we might point out the scariness in your very own backyard. Hmmm-mmmmMMmmm. Here are 13 REALLY scary signs that yo’ lil toddler-male might be a pimp shawty!
