To let ds2 indulge in his hobby of...

[lecce]

...wearing a princess dress and wig and singing along loudly with Horrible Histories songs, but only those sung by women (favourites being Cleopatra and Boudicca)?

He is 4.5. I know IANBU, but my parents have been here this week and, apparently, we "are storing up trouble for the future," . The 'issue' has been excerbated this week by his having a leg in plaster, meaning that he has watched a lot more telly than usual, and this is all he wants to watch - no episodes, only the songs, and really only about 6 songs...

Aside from the 'gender' issue, which I know is a non-issue, AIBU to let him watch the songs so much? We obviously watch less when he's mobile, but he really is obsessed. Today we were out from 1-4pm but the rest of the time he was either watching them, watching them while singing along (hilarious...) or singing them solo while making me, dh or my parents sing the men's bits. He did dictate a story to me about Cleo and Boudicca coming back to life to help the Suffragettes, but that's about it.

Apparently, according to my mum, this visit has given my dad serious concerns about ds.

AIBU?

[MintyCatLeaf]

YANBU. At all.

He sounds fab :)

[5madthings]

Yanbu he sounds fab!
And it's horrible history... It's educational!


The horrible history show was on at my local theatre recently, ds3 loved it. Is it on near you? Sounds like a treat your boy would love!

[WorraLiberty]

Oh not this again

You know the Mumsnet stance on this

If you raise a girl who's into wearing Princess dresses, you've spectacularly failed as a parent.

If you raise a boy who's into wearing Princess dresses, you've spectacularly suceeded!

[Amy106]

He sounds like a very creative and musical child. You are not unreasonable at all to encourage his interests. Your parents, on the other hand, need to be more accepting. They should have serious concerns about themselves!

[wherethewildthingis]

Worra

[clairefromsteps]

Oh my god, that sounds fab! Loving the princess dress and wig image.

WRT the TV-watching amounts, I think all bets are off when your kid has a broken bone.

And your parents need to unclench.

[drnoitall]

How ridiculous of your parents. No disrespect intended.
I think making a fuss about so called gender "toys" is so childish. Dress up is toys IMO.
Watching tv whilst having a leg in plaster sounds extremely sensible considering rest is needed and he certainly could do without further injury I'm sure.
Are you certain they weren't pulling your leg?

[Purplefrogshoes]

he sounds fab! my DD who is 5 has been dressed as Buzz Lightyear all day, she even went to a birthday party no one batted an eyelid! yanbu he is having fun

[MistletoeBUTNOwine]

Worra
Why is it so 'fab' for boys to enjoy dressing as girls? Not saying it's wrong, just wonder why it's so encouraged on here...?

[mummy1973]

Sounds fun. So it is a different time what with him being less mobile. Enjoy because it could be an obsession with something really, really annoying (like Just Kidding).
My dd and ds both went to the school fair wearing princess dresses. Dd was about 5 and ds 3. My parents were a bit perturbed and my dad took it off ds before they went over to have a sit in the fire engine!

[YouTheCat]

There's nothing wrong with kids dressing up how they want.

The only 'trouble' I can see in the future is that he may foster a terrible interest in history or something.

Have your parents specified what the 'trouble' is exactly?

[PublicEnemyNumeroUno]

My 5 year old DS had one of his best friends round this week (a girl) and spent the whole time wearing his friends massive flower headband whilst they both ran around singing songs from Frozen

It was hilarious!

Your parents are BU

[macdoodle]

My 4yr old nephew has a younger sister, and 2 older girl cousins. He is forever wearing flowery clips and headbands and high heels on occasion. So what?

[HadABadDay2014]

Worra :) love your reply

[HadABadDay2014]

He might catch the gay

Apparently, according to my mum, this visit has given my dad serious concerns about ds

But even if he is gay would they love him any less

[MoonRover]

Any part of a family member in plaster means the tv has to be on nearly all the time. It's the fucking law.

Tell your dad you share his concern and if he'd like to stump up for singing lessons for ds2, you're sure his tone and diction issues could be resolved in time for panto season.

[BlackeyedSusan]

your dad is of the generation where "boys will be boys" only manly persuits were allowed...

However, having worked for several years in nurseries and Reception classes, this is perfectly normal.

[CuttedUpPear]

Setting gender issues aside for a moment, my DD was really into Horrible Histories - this was before the tv programmes.
I had to spend a fortune on the fortnightly magazines.

She is just about to finish her History degree

Keep encouraging your DS in his pursuits OP!

[Ilikepancakes]

YANBU - perfectly okay hobby, let him carry on.

[waltermittymissus]

worra has the right of it!

[MairzyDoats]

I wish my kids were this interesting.

[innisglas]

I have a friend who's a gay sociologist and they had a symposium of gay intellectuals a few years back about what influences a man to be gay apart from those that are born that way. They generally reached the conclusion that domineering mother or father and being called a sissy for not playing "boys'" games.

So, assuming that these gays knew their onions, your child is less likely to be gay unless he was born that way, and if he was born that way, not much you can do about it, except be loving and accepting as it sounds like you are.

[K8Middleton]

What are they worried about?

IME as soon as you get people to spell out their concerns in these situations one of two things happens. They either sound like a total idiot and feel ashamed, or they sound like a total idea and try ito justify being an idiot.

At least then you know whether to ignore or tackle.

[PomBearWithAnOFRS]

He sounds wonderful - rather reminds me of my no3 son
We love Horrible Histories, so much better than most of the mind numbing shite they show for DCs now!
When he's a bit older, there is a book series where various statues around London, including Boudicca and daughters, in her chariot, come to life to help "the Hero" (who is a young boy) save the world - it's the "Stoneheart" trilogy by Charlie Fletcher, and they are really good