I know a lot of people who plan to or do fight reinforcing gender stereotypes in their kids: boys who play with dolls and dress up, girls who like trucks and dinosaurs. I have to say, I find myself both reinforcing and fighting the reinforcement every day. I figure it's a good sign that Ainsley is just as comfortable asking for a princess toy as she is asking for a car. Xander adores playing with his sister's toys, and her dolls are no exception. My theory is I encourage the things I think are good or harmless (most Nick Jr. stuff—Bubble Guppies, Blues Clues, and Yo Gabba Gabba, particularly) and don't freak out too badly at the things that aren't (I'm looking at you, Disney Princesses). At least most of the shows they're repackaging for the children of my generation (My Little Pony, Strawberry Shortcake) are trying to reconcile the gender stereotypes that we grew up with.
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Every now and then, though, I get hit in the head with some obvious symbolism. Take this week, for example. I was working (or playing on FB, it's hard to say), when I looked up and saw the kids had decided to climb onto chairs/rockers.
Ainsley took Xander's John Deere rocker while Xander decided that he needed to sit in Ainsley's princess chair. So, that means my work is done, right?
Our Names Are AINSLEY and XANDER!
Ainsley took Xander's John Deere rocker while Xander decided that he needed to sit in Ainsley's princess chair. So, that means my work is done, right?
Our Names Are AINSLEY and XANDER!
We like to dance!
I Warned You that You Can't Handle It
Xander still has his bottle at some nap and all bed times—don't judge me. If he didn't, you wouldn't get to marvel at this cuteness:
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