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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

Is this normal for a nearly 5 year old????

17 replies

Tatters · 07/06/2007 18:34

DS1 announced this morning he wants to be a woman because they were beautiful dresses and that he will never get married because he is going to live at home for ever and ever! He is nearly 5.

He is a very sensitive little boy when it comes to feelings and family, he loves to do creative things but then also he likes to be in the garden getting dirty.

Do I react or just let it go?

OP posts:

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DumbledoresGirl · 07/06/2007 18:35

Let it go.

What would a reaction achieve anyway?

NoodleStroodle · 07/06/2007 18:35

That's lovely - enjoy it.
DS (11) announced he wants to go to Uni in Newcastle to get away from me!

RosaLuxembourg · 07/06/2007 18:37

Well DD3 is nearly five and is still getting her head round the fact that she can't be a blue giraffe when she grows up. This has been plan A for years so it is a bit of a set back. I really wouldn't worry, notions of gender are still quite fluid at this stage and crossdressing very common. I'm not sure what you mean by reacting as I'm not sure what's bothering you about it, but yes just let it go.

NoodleStroodle · 07/06/2007 18:37

we live way down sarf

Greensleeves · 07/06/2007 18:40

Yes, totally normal IMO. My ds1 sulked for two hours yesterday because I told him (for the Nth time) that he can't marry me because I am already married to Daddy. He finally declared, in tones of grudging resignation, "Oh well, I'll just have to marry ds2 instead".

And he likes dolls/ironing/making cakes and all the other things people seem bizarrely to associate with girls. It's one of the few things about him that doesn't worry the shit out of me atm

MaureenMLove · 07/06/2007 18:42

I will always remember my first bf's little brother. He was only about 6 or 7 when I met him and he was such a sensitive little boy, just like yours. He always insisted he was going to live at home with his mum forever. Now he is probably about 30, married, with two kids and couldn't be more manly if he tried! Don't worry.

DumbledoresGirl · 07/06/2007 18:44

If it makes you feel any better, my ds1 (11 this month) has recently learnt to knit (and very good he is at it too) and has loads of plans to knit things for his soft toys. He has even asked for a "Born to knit" set for his birthday (whatever that may be!)

Trinityrhino · 07/06/2007 18:45

whst would you do if you didn't let it go??

LilRedWG · 07/06/2007 18:46

ROFL Rosa!

ScummyMummy · 07/06/2007 18:47

Agree with everyone else. Say- How fab. What a lovely time we will have.

newlifenewname · 07/06/2007 18:48

He is right about the dresses. Well observed. I really cannot blame him for wanting to stay at home for ever and ever, we all want 'lovely' to last for ever and ever don't we? When he is bigger he'll see other opportunities and advantages to taking them, right now he knows he feels safe and comfortable and loved and doesn't want it to be any different.

Totally mature reasoned out responses bless him.

Indulge his feminine side too. Maybe he could have some girly dressign up kit unless you have one of those DH's who thinks it'll make him gay.

Boco · 07/06/2007 18:50

He sounds lovely

Love the born to knit request, if i had a boy, i'd really hope for a creative knitter.

RedLorryYellowLorry · 07/06/2007 18:50

My ds is 5 in October. He is a real man's man. He simply has no time for girls including his sister (and sometimes me ). He has a ballet tutu in pink complete with shoes and has been heard to call afer his best pal "Bye Txx I love you" when leaving Nursery. Should I worry?

Original poster

Tatters · 07/06/2007 18:56

Thank you thank you.

I'd have him live me forever if I could - all of them. Of course no woman is going to be good enough for him, or DS2 and I don't think DH will let DD out his sight when she's older!!

The dress thing I just wasn't ready for - I thought that happened in the teen years! I jsut didn;t know whether to say 'that's fab - enjoy' or 'darling, boys don't do that'!

OP posts:

RedLorryYellowLorry · 07/06/2007 18:59

Honestly it's normal. I work in a preschool and each year there is at least 1 boy who prefers the princess dress to the spiderman stuff and we don't bat an eye lid. In fact I think it's lovely but with darcy bussell as a son I'd have to .

Fubsy · 07/06/2007 19:26

my friends son is as camp as a row of tents.

He used to say he was going to marry DD - but Ive got hiim lined up as her GBF

GooseyLoosey · 07/06/2007 19:31

Quite normal. Ds is a real thug of a boy but give him a fairy costume to dress up in and he's as happy as larry and his favourite colour is pink.

Actually, objectively, I think boys' things are a bit boring compared to girls' - all sober colours like blue and brown. Pink and yellow and frills probably do look a lot more interesting.

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