Encouraging "girliness" to discourage certain future problems

[FlutterShite]

I'm wrestling with this and wondered what your thoughts were. My young daughter in primary school is quite robust and active - she loves the kind of activities that could potentially mark her out as "really a boy" at some point in the future, is remarked upon for climbing trees (yes, seriously!) and enjoying getting muddy and scruffed up.

Recently she'd leaned towards toys like dolls and the more princessy-type Playmobil, and has started to show an interest in more obviously feminine clothes and accessories.

Nothing wrong with that, but I understand the social and commercial influences that are steering her towards these things. However, contrary to how I would have responded a few years ago, I'm thinking I should let her go full-on "girly" to reduce the risk of her being advised at a later date that she is probably trans because she has supposedly male traits.

I'd really appreciate a feminist viewpoint on this. I don't know many women IRL who would get what I'm even on about, especially those who've waxed their girls' eyebrows and let them wear make-up since they were tiny. Am I being odd just thinking about this? Or would I be letting the side down by reinforcing the message that yes, girls should fit into these boxes?

As someone navigating this, I find that a lot of the rogd parents tried to raise gender neutral kids , but maybe praised the. Less stereotypical choice more? I am carefully neutral about all expressed preferences now, I think the pink sparklies are littles stealth bombs to accuse me of not respecting them and the one of the lads stuff seems so forced, so I say nothing.
Police social media is my best advice. I was far too liberal to do that, and I bitterly regret that I didn’t.

I was the GIRLIEST girl. Wouldn't wear trousers. Obsessed with princesses, etc.

These days it's all I can be arsed to do to get a haircut. I am the opposite of gender conforming. Kids love to play with these things, I would help her explore what she's into, it'll pass soon enough.

What I am clear on is biology. I have always been open about bodies (age appropriate, of course) and emphatic that being a boy/girl doesn't preclude you from doing or being any particular way.

I think the best protection your daughter can have is security in her own self - which I think comes from self knowledge and rock solid family support.

always good to encourage critical thinking- but my own kids have been known to do the eye roll and 'yes, we KNOW...."
So, I'd add to the mix a healthy dose of ridicule - not of individuals obviously- but of adverts especially and anywhere stereotypes appear- I fond humour to be a great weapon.

Do both. Why shouldn't Barbie have her tea party up a tree? The Playmobile girl figurines can still build and test-drive the roller-coaster. Rollercoasters can be any colour!

Why differentiate between girlish activities and boyish ones?

Just let her be into what she is into.

I personally would encourage the 'girlie stuff', it is just stuff.

And you are right, yes, there is a real danger she may perceive herself to be a 'boy' or others may see her as 'a boy' so I'd encourage girlie stuff. BUT if she rejects the girlie stuff she can still be (and is) a girl.