Would you allow nursery aged son take Princess Belle bag to nursery?

[edderson]

Genuinely, I'm not asking what the "politically correct" answer is, as I know it's a yes, absolutely no problem. However, seriously? It's his first time at any sort of nursery setting and he's 3, so children will notice. Thanks.

Nursery yes.
School, definitely not.

At 3 my son has been identifying pink and purple for girls. He doesn’t get it from us.

Yes I should think nursery will be fine. School, not so much

I often see kid's of both sexes praising round in princess dresses when I pick up DS, don't think they'd bat an eyelid at a bag. (Except to be jealous)

Absolutely fine! My 3 year old is getting a Nella the Princess Knight sword (that also comes with a tiara) as part of his birthday present next week as he’s obsessed with the programme. If he asked for a bag I wouldn’t bat an eyelid at nursery age

My 3 year old ds has a frozen lunchbox for nursery.

I definitely would let them. When mine have had comments about something they are wearing/playing with being for the opposite sex from other children and they tell me, I just laugh and say how SILLY they are to think that and we should feel sorry for them because their parents or siblings probably have told them that and it's sad they think they can't play/wear with that so it's best not to argue with them and show them that it's ok. Sadly I have seen lots of parents in shops telling children they can't have the clothes or toys they want because they are a boy/girl.

If it makes you feel any better, there is a boy in my daughters nursery who wears glittery Belle wellies all year round, I don't suppose he has had comments to put him off wearing them if he was still wearing them in summer.

At 3 my son has been identifying pink and purple for girls. He doesn’t get it from us.

Unless of course you don't have pink and purple as regular colours in his wardrobe so he only sees them on girls.

Yes I would allow it.
My eldest ds used to want to to go out wearing fairy wings & tutus with his chunky cat boots and a fireman hat....i was just grateful to get out the door on time! I didnt give a monkeys as long as he was clean and fed and happy to go.
He's now 12 and in his own opinion very masculine.

Will the other kids even see it? At our nursery the kids bags are kept just outside their room and I can’t say I’ve ever even looked at what the others are.

It really isn't an issue at three. When he is older you can talk to him about stereotyping and let him know that some people might have an issue with what he wears and that have some kids who will tease him but they are the ones with a problem. Then leave it up to him if he wants to risk it or not.

My son is getting more aware of what is acceptable and seems to have come to a set up where he does the standard "boy ting" at school but saves the pink shiny thing for home. It makes me sad but it's what happens because people with their own issues fuck up their kids at home and then their children bring it to school.

Will the other kids even see it? At our nursery the kids bags are kept just outside their room and I can’t say I’ve ever even looked at what the others are.

They will take them to the table though, so the children will see whose box is whose.

Yes

This depends where you live. I’ve lived in places where it would be totally fine and other places where boys are ingrained from a young age to be “tough”.

Yes of course! Why wouldn't you.

He'll probably have some comments. My youngest daughter rocks a Hulk bag sometimes. One boy asked her why she had a boy bag. Her instant response was "It's my bag and I'm not a boy"

The little boy shrugged his shoulders and carried on playing.

Kids will be curious, but it's rare that they'll make a fuss. Your DS should be fine.

My youngest DD had a lovely Belle dress with a red cape & long white gloves. When shed out-grown it, I took it in to the pre-school for their dressing-up box. About a month later, one of the teachers came out & said the kids love the dress & its actually the boys who wear it the most
So, yes, let him take his Belle bag in

My son carried a handbag around for years.

It's fine! I doubt the other kids would even notice unless he points it out or they particularly like it, be they boy or girl!

Of course he should be allowed to take his Princess Belle bag with him! Children should be allowed to express themselves without worrying about bullshit gender stereotypes pigeonholing them. Your DS should always have the freedom to be himself - to be happy and comfortable.

For the record, he's got bloody good taste. I luffs Belle! I'm 31 and my Mrs Potts teapot and Chip mug STILL have pride of place on my kitchen shelves!

There's a little boy at my DDs Nursery with a purple my little pony bag - because he likes MLP and loves the colour purple. No-one cares.

It's a well known fact that 3yo are judgemental AF and his penis will probably fall off too

I'm a big believer in gender neutral things so yes let him take his bag in :-) Hopefully soon the Idea of "boy bags" and "girl bags" will be gone.

My cousin used to like to carry handbags when he was that age, he loved them. :-)

Nursery teacher here - a little sad to say some of the other children may notice and make comments about it being a ‘girls’ bag. However, if it’s what your son wants to do I would say go for it and just have a response prepared in case he does get some negative responses. I think it could be a good learning opportunity for him, yes he may feel bad if they comment but if you discuss the importance of being comfortable with who you are and accepting that other people may have different views sometimes it could be a good lesson for him to take forward. There have been plenty of boys in my classes who have enjoyed dresses etc and my approach is ‘if it makes them happy, why not?’

I think it’s fine, although I do think some kids will notice and say that it is for girls. If he does ask for another though after one day, it sounds like you’d let him switch it out for a more gender typical one anyway.

I was a big believer in gender neutrality (I have a very non- gender typical job and hobbies) but now I have a little boy I just want to protect him. Children can be mean. Its his first day. I completely understand why you might be enthusiastically brandishing a similar “boy” rucksack right now.