4.7 yo embarrassed about boys

[littleraysofsunshine]

I can't remember even thinking about it at this age... But she's starting to get really offended or embarrassed if you say oh so and so's your friend too ? Etc.

I don't think it helps when family members who have different parenting to me will make fun of boys vein friends, stereotyping blue is forbids etc!

How can I manage this without my girl disliking me??

[LastingLight]

She's so young for this... Model the behaviour you want to promote, have friends of both genders and point this out to her. Strongly resist the stereotyping, stress that in YOUR family you can be friends with anyone, wear any colour you like and play with any toy.

[littleraysofsunshine]

We do all of those things and above but it's others obviously implementing it, otherwise where will she get it from? When she was three she would be happy to play with anyone, not feel shy or embarrassed. Today she's told me that she only plays with girls.

We encourage the playing with any toy, any colour etc. we have lots of friends both genders so I'm not sure where it's coming from?

We just say we can be friends with everyone.

Anyone can wear any colour that makes them happy.

[LittleLionMansMummy]

I go out of my way to tell ds how much I like blue, how i dislike playing with dolls and how yes of course I'll paint his fingernails with my nail varnish (which he insisted on last night)! He's also just reached an age where he says he doesn't like girls, or girls aren't as strong, fast etc. I just model the exact opposite deliberately - lugging heavy bags and furniture, running as fast as i can etc. But then I've always had a tendency to be oppositional!

[LittleLionMansMummy]

Oh and i'm guessing it's a development thing as they've just really begun to understand more about gender and my ds is the same age as your dd!

[GinUpGirl]

Is dad about? I've always found that reminders about how much we both like daddy are helpful for suggesting that boys aren't all bad!

[LittleLionMansMummy]

I've used similar techniques GinUpGirl. When ds declares he doesn't like girls i feign "What?? Really?? So you don't like me?! Or Auntie x, auntie y, your big sister (half sister who he adores) etc etc".