I have three boys. They range from ages 4 1/2 to 18 months. My house is littered with blocks, trucks, trains, cars, and dolls.
Dolls? Not dolls in the traditional baby doll sense, but action figures that my boys (namely Superman, my middle child) have taken and adopted as his “babies”.
Meet Baby Spider-Man. I bought this toy as a part of a bundle at Tot Trade this past year. And Baby Spider-Man goes everywhere with us. Kid Buzz Lightyear sometimes accompanies us as well. Baby Spider-Man gets fed, diapered, and has conversations with my three year old. It’s one of the cutest things I’ve ever seen.
This is only one aspect of my son’s life. He’s the middle child, and to say he’s tough would be an understatement. Much of his life is on his own terms. I still have no idea how he’s growing; for approximately a year and a half after he stopped breastfeeding his only nourishment was pretty much just milk (which he recently decided he doesn’t like either and I’m trying not to worry too much about it). I caught him sneaking veggies off of the veggie tray on New Year’s Eve, so at least he’s eating something healthy.
He’s quick to get upset; and will fold his arms and say, “You are making me very angry” as he stomps away. He doesn’t sleep well; if he happens to fall asleep at any time in the afternoon, we might as well settle in with him because it’s going to be a long night.
His favorite thing to do is dress up in old Halloween costumes, and I’ve decided it’s not worth fighting. He loves his brothers more than anything, and will often give up whatever he has if he thinks it’s going to please whichever brother happens to be flipping out at any given time. He’s also my comedian, and I’ve often joked that I look forward to hearing the stories when the teachers start calling me.
But watching him with his babies warms my heart more than anything you can possibly imagine. When he’s taking care of Baby Spider-Man, or Daddy Buzz Lightyear or Kid Buzz Lightyear, and he’s giving them hugs and kisses and nurturing them, I know he’s going to be alright, and his dad and I are raising him to be a kind human being who looks after others.
Baby Spider-Man has earned his place in my son’s keepsake box.
I love this! I think it’s so important to raise nurturing little boys who can grow up to be empathetic men! Great read!
Love this article!! My son has a bear that’s dressed up like a Christmas Santa. He’s had it since birth and it is now his “MY BABY”! I love the affection he’s shows Baby. He gives kisses and hugs. He also encourages my husband and I to do the same. He’s almost two years old and if this is how we’re starting out, I feel really really blessed!!
Good for him. He looks happy.
My daughter doesn’t play with dolls.
I do not allow her to have any social media, phone, iPads, video games, bratz, Barbie, pink, traditional girl colors. She won’t have it especially in her room. No makeup or jewelry or ears pierced.
I provide her with her own stuffed animals like the library has.
I asked her what she wanted to be when she grew up without the toys r us part. She looked at me dead serious and said she was going to be a veterinarian, paleontologist, entomologist, geologist, and botanist. She has maintained to this day and a decade later.
My intention was curiosity. I never meant she had to be so serious and focused. I briefly wondered if she might change her mind but she has never wavered. I took her to a veterinarian college information session at age 8. I only enroll her in stem camps, events, and activities.
I only let her watch animal, STEM, nature, bugs, dirt, legos, only boy colors, rocks, flowers, plants, etc.
I loved playing with my legos, fire truck, tinker toys, Lincoln logs, and running through my chores to play outside. Of course I always had to redo some part of my chores.
She has always played with her stuffed animals like baby dolls. She talks to them, feeds, comforts, and gives them a blanket.
I love his story and costumes. That is what childhood is supposed to be.
I gave her a variety of tutus and only stem colors. You could hardly get her to change.
When she first started school, they called us to the principal’s office. There must have been 20-30 professionals. They told me I had to make her take off her tutu. They said they were telling other parents but I don’t believe them because I saw numerous girls with them on. I vowed to her and myself I will never make you take your tutu off, destroy her spirit, confidence, self esteem, dreams and creativity.
I always knew I would be a strict parent. That was heightened after working with coed adolescents in substance abuse treatment, state custody, and juvenile justice. Not that he would but I can think of a lot worse things he could do. I always tell her no, I believe in her, youth (not beauty products), and her dreams. The world will try to destroy her dreams but I won’t.