My 10 year old is a tomboy- she much prefers boys clothes, her friends are mainly boys, and she had her hair cut short last year. Getting clothes for her is becoming more and more of an issue. Mostly she selects from the boys ranges- she says this is a comfort thing- e.g. she prefers the longer short sleeve on a boys' t-shirt compared to the a cap sleeve on a girls' or longer length boys' shorts compared to girls which are much shorter. I do understand- looking for suitable clothes for her has made me realise just how gendered clothes are and how difficult it is to get girls' clothes that aren't in pastel colours, with frills, bows, unicorns, etc. Having said that, despite the comfort thing, she won't wear leggings- doesn't like the feel on her legs etc. So many clothes are ruled out.
But- now she is getting older- other children are starting to notice more and be unkind. She has come home from school crying because children have teased her and called her transgender. Maybe she will decide she is in the future, I don't know. (I hope not, not because I'm transphobic but because I recognise what a difficult course that would be). She's often mistaken for a boy, which annoys me- she doesn't look like one but most people assume short hair = boy. Her older brother is worried about her transition to high school- he thinks she is going to get picked on.
I don't know what I'm asking really. Does anyone have experience of this? Partly I'm frustrated because I've just been trying to find clothes for a smart occasion for her- and it is a nightmare- part of me just wants her to conform! Part of me admires her desire to stick to what is comfortable to her. Part of me is frightened she may decide she is trans-gender and the future that might hold. Or that she is forced down a transgender route because as a society we seem less able to recognise non-girlie girls these days.