Ask Home Insemination Kit: Dad Is Being Difficult About Son’s ‘Girl Toys’

This week, we tackle a common parenting dilemma: how to navigate the differences in beliefs about what toys are appropriate for boys versus girls. If you have a question of your own, feel free to reach out!

Dear Home Insemination Kit,

I have a four-year-old daughter and a two-year-old son. Lately, my son has taken a strong liking to his sister’s toys. He enjoys her baby dolls, loves dressing up in her princess costumes, and often pretends to cook with her play kitchen. However, my husband has a big issue with this. He insists we shouldn’t let our son play with toys deemed “for girls.” How can I make him see how unreasonable he’s being?

On a personal note, I have four sons aged 9 to 16. At various points in their childhoods, they’ve all been fascinated by things considered “girly,” even without a sister’s influence. I’ve painted their nails, replaced kitchen sets they wore out, and watched them adore ballet performances. One of my boys even insisted on wearing sparkly purple “My Little Pony” Crocs for six months straight.

Despite this, they’ve all grown into well-rounded young men who can tackle both rough sports and help out in the kitchen. It’s unfortunate that your husband feels this way—not only for your son but also for him, as he’s likely repeating the rigid lessons about masculinity he learned as a child.

Your son is only two and isn’t even aware of gender identities yet. According to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, children start to form a sense of gender identity between ages 3 and 5. Thus, your son sees toys simply as toys, not as being labeled for a specific gender. They’re colorful, appealing, and just what kids want to play with.

In the future, your son will grow into adulthood, potentially taking on roles that involve parenting and maintaining a household. Engaging in imaginative play now can help him develop skills that will serve him well later. A study by Megan K. Maas at Michigan State University found that boys who adhere to traditional masculine norms are more likely to engage in dating violence.

More importantly, it’s crucial for your son to feel accepted and supported by his dad, regardless of his interests. He needs to know that he is loved for who he is, not confined to outdated gender stereotypes.

Instead of bluntly telling your husband he’s being unreasonable, have a calm conversation when he expresses discontent about your son playing with a baby doll. Gently point out that if your daughter were playing with “boy toys,” he likely wouldn’t react the same way. Discuss how unfair it is to limit your son’s play and highlight how joyful he is when he engages with the toys he enjoys, regardless of gender marketing. Remind him that encouraging a diverse range of interests will make your son a more well-rounded individual.

As an aside, my son may have traded in his sparkly Crocs for a stinky pair of basketball shoes, but I have no regrets about encouraging both interests—and I’m sure you won’t either.

For more insights, check out this related post on our blog, and for those interested in enhancing their fertility health, this fertility booster for men is a great resource. Additionally, consider visiting Mayo Clinic’s guide on intrauterine insemination for comprehensive information.

Search Queries:

In summary, it’s important to foster an environment where children can explore their interests freely, regardless of gender norms. Encouraging diverse play can lead to well-rounded individuals who are equipped for a variety of roles in adulthood.

Keyphrase: Parenting and Gender Stereotypes

Tags: [“home insemination kit” “home insemination syringe” “self insemination”]