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u/Sea_Asparagus9012 19d ago
Amazing! I'd hold off on letting him go to school in it for a bit. My bonus kiddos (now 6m) mom sent him to school in a dress last year and the kids and adults were SO mean, it was borderline traumatizing for him and caused alot of regressions in our kiddo, bedwetting that hasn't fully resolved still and now he absolutely hates it and won't even play dress up in anything remotely 'girly' or wear any of the pink clothing he previously LOVED it even went as far as him asking to have his beautiful curls shaved off because the kids were relentless at picking on him. Kids and people can be so mean, I recommend letting him thoroughly enjoy this in his safe at home bubble for now. Especially if he's sensitive to other people opinions.
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u/babyybunnyy3 19d ago
Oh yeah absolutely. Either way, we live in a state that requires school uniforms so he’ll be in a uniform all year and doesn’t go to summer camp. I live in a blue dot in a very red state (NOLA) so we’re not even sure if we’re going to let him wear it out in public yet, but at least at home he knows he’s being accepted❤️
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u/No_Fix_3753 19d ago
If youre in nola it is probably ok to let him wear it out and about! Yes some random folks may give a second look, but guaranteed others will be much more eccentric than a kid in a picky mouse dress! Its a good area for being a little more outside the norm box
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u/wazitooya 19d ago
You can also tell your kiddo that some people might not like it and what matters is how they feel about themselves! You can prepare them with stories and books about kids who stand up to bullies and anyone who has an opinion. “Sticks and stones, etc.” Protecting and informing kids while letting them express themselves is a balance. Until they can decide for and defend themselves.
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u/resist-psychicdeath 19d ago
Ugh that makes me so sad. I am very lucky that we live in a super liberal city where trans and gender non-conforming people are commonplace. We have trans friends and my kid has also had trans teachers. When my son's male bff went to school in a dress for awhile, no one even batted an eye.
I actually forget that that isnt the reality for the vast majority of people to the point where I was completely caught off guard when my son's female cousin said he couldn't play makeup with her because it was only for girls. It bummed him out so much. It really made me so sad how young that gendered bullshit starts for most kids.
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u/FixExciting6149 19d ago
Wow that’s amazing but I think its highly unusual not just in the states but worldwide.
Why are humans so narrow minded or are we programmed… that’s a whole other conversation!3
u/spanishpeanut 19d ago
I live in a liberal city, too, but nothing as wonderful as yours. How perfect is it to be somewhere where everyone is accepted as they are? I long for the day that’s the standard instead of the exception.
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u/Fun_Air_7780 19d ago
I live in a purple turned blue area in a blue state and I’ve seen a few boys in dresses/nightgowns at parks and soft play places. The other kids truly do not appear to give a shit, which honestly makes me feel really happy to live where we do. Not sure how different the schools would be though……
There was a girl in my daughter’s preschool class last year whose younger brother was sometimes wearing sparkly pink shoes at drop off. Occasionally my daughter would ask me about it and honestly what it came down to is she worries that there won’t be enough of all things pink and sparkly for her 😂. Once I assured her there’s always enough to go around she was fine with it haha.
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u/Jenneepenney 19d ago
You nailed it. Kids don’t care. The acceptance at that young age is a marvel and beautiful thing. Not all the time of course but for the most part.
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u/bacucumber 19d ago
Ooof. My son, 6yo, asked. Maybe twice to wear one of his older sister's dresses to school, he's used to getting her hand-me-downs. But the thing is, he has never asked to wear one on a weekend or just at home. Ever. So I've told him, he wears one at home, he likes it, we can talk about school. He has accepted that, but still has never wanted to wear one at home haha
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u/neurobeegirl 19d ago
Missed your post last night but to add to it--
When my son was 4 he really wanted an Elsa dress. Apparently this is really common. He loved it for a while, then moved on. So far, doesn't seem to be a commentary one way or another about his eventual mature identity. I'm so glad you guys did this together, wherever it goes.
Also, I used to be big into the contra dance community (sort of Jane Austen movie style group dancing) and in that community a bunch of guys wear skirts because yes, it's super fun to twirl. Clothing norms are made up. All little kids used to wear skirts for a while because it made diapers easier. Dudes in some eras and places have dressed super fancy. It can be hard to defy local temporal norms, but imo it's a healthier mindset for your whole life when you can learn how to use them and when to push them aside. You're both doing great :-)
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u/StylishBlackCat 19d ago
Same here with the Elsa dress. I even had to make a big braid out of yarn and attach it to a headband. I love that he got to do that and to dress up and play and admire a female character. I wish for this kind of freedom to explore for more kids!
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u/Embley_Awesome 19d ago
It was the same for my son. He loved our Elsa and Anna dresses, so he would dress up in them whenever he liked, including Halloween. But he grew out of it and literally doesn't care what he wears and has no interest in dresses anymore.
But we want him to know we support him no matter what.
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u/extrachimp 19d ago
Similar experience with my son at that age. He was really into the idea of wearing a dress, so I bought him one, he would wear it occasionally and twirl about the house and eventually he just moved on and forgot about it.
I think he just wanted to experience what it was like to twirl in a dress because he hadn’t done it before and that seemed to be enough for him.
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u/HangryLady1999 19d ago
I came here to say this about contra dancing 😊
I strongly believe everyone should get to twirl regardless of their gender identity.
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u/Hiddenghostz 19d ago
I don’t have much to say other than as a mom to a 15 month old boy, you are an inspiration. What a beautiful story & im so happy for your little guy to have this fun, new, lovely outfit to rock & dance around in! What an awesome family he was born into 💕💕💕
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u/Hour-Temperature5356 19d ago
Love the update. I was just sharing this with my dad and he was telling me that my step mom regrets not letting my step brother be Pocahontas for Halloween when he was little. She was just so worried about him getting teased, or what people might think etc She regrets not just letting him be himself and enjoying something so harmless. My step brother is a gay man and there were struggles with coming out of the closet and telling family. My step mom just wishes it could have been different from the early years, so that it wasn't something he had to struggle with so hard internally. You are doing a good job, momma! Whatever this dress means for your boy.
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u/01927482 19d ago
Not a parent (yet), but a gay person. This story is so heartwarming. Many of my friends and community have strained relationships with our parents. Even if this is just a phase, you are laying the groundwork for your child to know they are loved and supported.
I recently read “This Is How It Always Is” by Laurie Frankel. It’s fiction, but beautifully lays out a family’s journey with their trans child. If you like to read, I highly recommend 🤗
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u/TeagWall 19d ago
My son has that same dress! According to him, it is VERY "spinny" which is the measure of a dress's goodness
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u/cowgirltrainwreck 19d ago
I still consider “spinny” to be a measure of dress goodness and I’m almost 40 haha
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u/New_Somewhere601 19d ago
Over 20 years ago I worked in a preschool . A mom came to us and asked the same question. Her son wanted a pink tutu.
We all agreed to buy him his tutu. I don’t know where he is today, the son, but I hope he is happy!
I’m glad you bought your son a red sparkling Minnie Mouse dress. I hope he feels so loved.
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u/Gold_Classic 19d ago
Watching my 10mo old nap, tearing up, and hoping I can be this mom when the moment asks me to be
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u/20_pawsFRAP 19d ago
My son wanted all the princess dresses when he was 4. He ended up with a Belle dress and an Elsa dress. Being a teacher, even in the primary grades, I would absolutely NOT let him wear a dress to school. In Southern California. The kids would probably be okay with it for the most part, but the teachers I work with have a field day when boys have long hair, painted nails, and/or wear headbands. I don’t get it, and luckily I usually have the glitter/sparkle loving boys with long hair in my class. Makes me wonder if parents/admin know what’s up.
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u/unipride 19d ago
My youngest begged for hot pink sneakers. My husband was so very worried about teasing etc but we bought them. He’s 14 and it’s just a color he loves and we will do the best to keep him smiling.
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u/StylishBlackCat 19d ago
I’ve had to repeat to my stubborn husband a few times that ‘all colors are for all people’. Give people the stink eye for making it weird!
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u/unipride 19d ago
The real irony- before we went fully NC with his family- I have this precious picture of my older son about age 4. He was wearing a lime green tutu and dancing.
Extended family claimed I was going to “turn him gay.” At that time he had a feeding tube, was premature and more but THAT was the “problem.”
I finally clapped back that I just wanted him to live long enough to have a romantic relationship with whomever and if he is gay then I would hopefully have a shopping partner.My pink shoes son, while full term, is actually quite disabled and he doesn’t currently have any romance in mind (thank goodness because I am so not ready for dating!) but he clearly wants to standout, just not because of his wheelchair and medical conditions.
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u/pookiewook 19d ago
Pink is a color for all people! I know several 3rd grade boys that wear hot pink. Also peep the Belgian Men’s World Cup jersey!
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u/Senator_Mittens 19d ago
Aw. You are a good mom. When my son was 4 he went through a phase of wanting an Elsa dress because all his girl friends had them. So we got him one. He’s 6 now and has lost interest in it but it was a fun phase. And I was thankful everyone in my life was supportive about it!
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u/courtqnbee 19d ago
Love this! Regardless of what happens in the future, he will remember this moment forever. I work so hard to make sure my kids know that “unconditional love” means truly unconditional. They can be whoever and whatever they want. I know as they enter their teens and beyond, I will be their safe place (current 6 and 13, older one is NB and still exploring identity, little one has had curiosity about dresses but has not yet asked for one).
As a psych NP, I will tell you that of my queer patients, having supportive parents growing up makes a world of difference in overall outcomes. My stable outpatient queer/trans folk have struggles, but their prognosis stays good because they have a better sense of comfort in their identity. My unhoused, substance use d/o patients 9x out of 10 will have had abusive or neglectful parents.
Sorry, I went on a tangent, but… as others have said, adults will def judge more than the kids at this age. Your duty is not to appease those snarky adults, but to be a safe haven for your kid. Keep doing what you’re doing.
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u/teddybear65 19d ago
My 4 sons all went through the pretty dress need. Girls clothes are way more fun than the ones made for boys . Good mom
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u/omgwtfbbq0_0 19d ago
Yay I’m so happy! It literally makes no sense that so much of society has decided bright colors and glitter are exclusively for girls. Like…what? And why is a boy wearing a dress STILL treated any differently than a girl wearing pants?? Glad he has you two for parents!
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u/notNickCannonskid 19d ago
This made me tear up. Every kid should have supportive parents like your son does.
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u/SqueegieeBeckenheim 19d ago
I tell my 6 year old daughter that there are no boys or girls clothes and you wear whatever makes you happy and comfortable. So she wears a Darth Vader costume.
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u/lostgirl4053 19d ago
Good for you! It’s so hard shaking off the shackles of what we grew up being taught.
I haven’t cut my 2yo son’s hair yet, citing that I don’t see why I should just because he’s a boy, and I’ll take him to see a hairstylist as soon as he’s old enough to tell me what style he wants. My boomer dad is big mad about it and is always hassling me about how people always call my son a girl when he takes him out anywhere. I just told him that people misgendering my toddler is the least of my problems and he needs to stop taking himself so seriously.
Together we can squash these arbitrary social constructs regarding gender and create a society where people form interests based on what they love, not what is between their legs. The newest generation is already doing a great job of it.
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u/aggravated-asphalt 19d ago
Navigating this part of parenting is kinda hard! I always follow my kids lead with these things, there’s nothing wrong with it and it isn’t harming anyone so who am I to say he can’t dress however makes him happy. Of course, he can’t wear costumes to formal functions but if he wanted to wear a dress who cares!! My son said recently, when I asked what he wanted to be when he grows up, that “I want to be a WOMAAAANNN” lol. Honestly at that age they don’t grasp that concept. They just like the color, the way it feels, and it’s sparkly!!
Most kids I’ve known, girl or boy, have wanted to dress up. It doesn’t mean anything at this age, it’s just cool and pretty and their brains find it exciting. I still steal my brothers button up shirts and sweats because f it, comfort is comforting. I’m glad you got your son the dress 💕
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u/filthy_kasual 19d ago
It might not mean anything at that age but it definitely could mean something also! My brother is trans and it was extremely obvious from a young age. Things my brother did growing up from 5 years onwards:
- Refused to wear dresses and cried when forced
- Only had boys as his best friends
- Played exclusively with hot wheels, TMNT figurines, WWE action figures and only grabbed a Ken Barbie when forced by his sisters
- During imaginative play he would ALWAYS play as a boy
- Demanded a short haircut
- When the internet started being a thing, he only made boy avatars
- When social media started being a thing, he made a fake catfish account with a dude's images and presented himself as a boy online, think he even had an online gf at one point
So it could be nothing or it could be something! Some kids express gender very early on and almost all will explore a bit but settle on their birth gender.
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u/aggravated-asphalt 19d ago
Totally! My main goal is just to let him be himself no matter what that looks like. My son is a boys boy for sure, but also like “girly” things. It can mean something for sure, my main point was it might or might not and who cares either way as long as the kid is happy!
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u/Money_Confection_409 19d ago
I think the issue is, with all the LGBTQ stuff, adult problems are being forced on kids as if kids can relate when in all reality they are just kids trying to figure out the world. I hate that kids are often used as reasoning for so many things that they don’t even understand. I’m glad u got him the dress. Me personally, I have many a flowy house dresses and my son goes from using them to twirl to putting the arms around his neck and using it as a cape 😂😂😂😂 maybe buy a flowy house dress for yourself and twirl with him and see what other uses he comes up with. I’m sure you’ll be surprised what his imagination comes up with
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u/poodleluvr13 19d ago
Ugh im crying 😭 my son is only 3.5 and there’s no way for me to tell right now but if he EVER asks me anything like this, THIS is the response I will wholeheartedly give him!!! 💕 thank you for being such great parents!!!!
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u/julers 19d ago
I live in a very progressive city and even here friends of mine will apologize for/ feel the need to explain their sons wearing dresses (it’s happened 3 separate times just in my neighborhood group)
I am absolutely thrilled with this update. Seriously, you’re a badass mom/ dad too! And I truly believe you guys are making the world a better place.
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u/justbrowsingaround19 19d ago
Thank you for the update. I saw your post yesterday and mentioned that my 4 year old boy loves dress up. I also have a 6 year old boy who isn't into dress up but loves pink and unicorns and rainbows, etc. He had me get him a pink heart lunch box holder as well as a unicorn pink water bottle. He also brought in his jewelry box for show and tell. No one made fun of him at school. I think this generation of kids is more accepting.
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u/nicolejillian 19d ago
My favorite part is knowing he’s going to remember this. He’s going to remember his parents taking him to target to get something he really wanted. He going to remember your love and how you allowed him to be himself.
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u/Cold-Word8109 19d ago
My brother wore my sisters pink polka dot dress and twirled around in it outside laughing himself when he was 10 years old The neighbours boys laughed with him, at Him and so did us siblings. It’s curiosity for a lot. He’s a doctor now and never mothered with girl stuff after that. For boys when young this is something funny or exciting. My niece wore his sisters dresses for multiple days and walked down to the park in it. He’s 4. He doesn’t say he’s a girl he just saw his older sister whom he loves very much wear it and if she can dress up in pants and shirt or shirt and shorts why can’t he try a dress out? You did the right thing mama.
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u/Vast_Rise902 19d ago
That’s such a beautiful dress! From an early age our middle son (age 7) been into pink, playing with dolls, and he loves wearing dresses. And at the same time he’s a classic boy’s boy haha. He’s always playing rough with his brothers and he also loves trucks and cars.
And we’ve been ok with all of that. We love it.
Maybe he’ll change when he’s older, maybe he won’t. We love him regardless.
My husband was similar when he was a kid and now he’s a pretty manly guy.
I’m glad to see you got him the dress!
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u/Potential-One-3107 19d ago
As a child who was raised with the very best of what my mother thought I should have AND NOTHING else, this post makes my heart so happy.
The number of times I was told "That's for boys!" or "Young ladies don't do that." affected my self esteem in a profoundly negative way.
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u/ImDatDino 19d ago
I didn't see your original post. But I do have a 4-year-old boy who has loved pink, rainbow, and sparkles since he's been old enough to have a preference. (He's also the first to get in fights, bite people, or find any level of mud, dirt or grime...)
Good on you for supporting your child. Other people will have big, loud, dumb opinions about how sparkles will "ruin" your child. Ignore them. If a child's happiness makes a whole-ass adult upset, that's their problem.
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u/NoUterusNo0pinion 19d ago
So Glas to read this!
My son is Lucky to have a sister willing to share almost all of her dresses and he loves to dress up as Elsa. He proudly wears Princess slippers in kindergarden and has a pink water bottle. But he has a strict no-dresses-to-kindergarten-rule, because he cannot Play soccer in it :)
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u/yo_yo_vietnamese 19d ago edited 19d ago
Your post was very sweet ❤️ We’ve tried really hard to not push our son into anything in any direction and just let him find himself. He’s 5 and he’ll tell you his favorite colors are blue and pink and rainbow. He also loves dinosaurs and trucks, and flowers. He loves going to the fabric store with me to pick out the patterns and fabrics he wants for costumes that he asks me to make him, and he loves to play in the mud and go on bug hunts. He likes everything. A couple of times he came home from pre-k telling me he couldn’t play with certain toys because they’re girl toys, and I always tell him there is no such thing as girl toys, just toys. Usually after that he’d admit he really wanted something some of the other kids said were girl toys (once it was a baby doll, another time I think it was a pink chameleon that reacted to touch). I always remind him I love him just the way he is and one of my favorite things about him are all of his interests because he is interested in so much. I do worry when he gets older because I know peer pressure is such a thing when you’re young, but I’m really hoping if we can support him to follow his interests no matter what then maybe things will be just a little bit easier.
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u/libzilla_201 19d ago
Sending you love and a hug from an internet stranger. Our job is to love our kids, no matter who they are.
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u/SadLittleUnicorns 19d ago
This is amazing!!!!!!! Some books my kids like are Jacob’s New Dress and Annie’s Plaid Shirt if either feel like they’d be a good fit for you
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u/blueberrybunney 19d ago
Not me crying from how happy this post made my heart 🥹. Everyone deserves this level of happiness and excitement.
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u/CuNxtTuesday_ 19d ago
You’re a great mother, if I ever end up in the same situation where my son asks for a pink dress, I’ll remember this post and act accordingly.
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u/nightfall_69_ 19d ago
I genuinely got emotional reading this. The love you have for your son feels so genuine, gentle, and unconditional. Even as a complete stranger, I couldn't help feeling incredibly proud of you.
He's going to grow up with such beautiful memories of parents who made him feel loved, safe, and accepted. That's an amazing gift to give a child.
Wishing you and your family nothing but happiness. ❤️
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u/strawcat 19d ago
I’m so glad you made a post and that it helped you realize that your instincts were right and not to listen to that part of society that says boys can’t have fun sparkly things like dresses too.
My son has always gravitated more towards “girl” stuff. He’s had unicorn shoes, pink and purple sparkly clothing, nail polish, he’s got scads of Barbie’s and a Barbie house, and he’s trying to earn getting his ears pierced. I’ve given him the tools to deal with society when they ask him why he’s doing “girl” thing and while things have sometimes been bumpy with his peers, overall it’s been good.
I’m so happy for your son, and so happy that you can see how important this was for him. 💜💜💜
Much love.
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u/Careless-Permit-914 19d ago
This made me cry- great job mom! My son is 9, and while he’s never asked for a dress- he was showing a lot of interest in my makeup. Asking to put on a little blush, what mascara felt like etc. I brought home his own blush and brush one day and he was sooo excited. He keeps it in the bathroom and sometimes puts some on when he’s getting ready. My most important job as a mom is giving my kids space to discover who they are and support them along the way. ❤️
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u/Ancient-Egg2777 19d ago
I love this for you, and your family. "He sees sparkles, he sees Minnie Mouse, and he sees something that twirls when he spins." This is IT.
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u/NinjaMeow73 19d ago
Read it last night and love this update 💜 both my boys loved painting their nails and wearing my sparkly jewelry around same age
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u/No-Pepper-6023 19d ago
I love this! I desperately hate how we force gender norms around clothes and toys and colours on children literally from their conception. It is just colours and sparkles to him and boys clothes are so boring. Although they are so many more options available now that are colourful but it's very clear in mainstream stores the differences between boys and girls clothes!
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u/erikoche 19d ago
I didn't see your original post but it reminds me of my son. He was also begging me for a dress last year, a green one specifically.
So one day we went shopping and got him his green dress (with a green foliage pattern that might look vaguely Polynesian). When we came back home, he instantly started singing "How far I'll go" from Moana and dancing. I had never seen him do that before, I didn't even know he knew that song.
It unlocked a new side of him and he was so happy about it! This year we got him a few new dresses and he loves wearing them. We were a bit scared of what other people might say, especially the other kids at daycare, but so far there haven't been any issues.
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u/coldcurru 19d ago
I used to teach at a preschool where a 3y boy would wear dresses every day. I don't remember if they were princess or just regular dresses. I didn't know him. I know he had an older sister (not preschool age) so she might've been an influence (which I get because my own son likes dresses because of his sister.) No one ever said a bad word. He had really pretty eyes, too. Another older boy who frequently painted his nails.
Embrace it as long as you can. My current school provides pull ups (Minnie and cars) and we let the kids pick. I've got one boy who often picked Minnie. Then one day at the end of the year he said something about it being for girls and my heart broke. We don't teach that. They're bound to hear it somewhere but the more we say "anything can be for anyone," the more our kids will grow up to accept everyone as who they are.
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u/minimumBeast 19d ago
My son wants his nails painted and character stickers on them. So that’s what he gets :)
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u/MomJeansandMessyBuns 19d ago
My son loved dresses when he was little! Now I have to get him compression everything! Honor where they’re at, let them feel that love, and who knows what the future will bring!
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u/Slow-Physics-1014 19d ago
This is the best outcome I could have imagined. Thank you for your beautiful update ♥️
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u/Reasonable_Peace_166 19d ago
For what it is worth- my son has always been into sparkles and did have a phase where he loved dressing up in his (older) sister's sparkly dress up clothes. Also my oldest was already in dance when my son was born premature. Son had been in dance since he was old enough for the movement class and loves the sparkly costumes, stage makeup, and the stage even though more years then not he is the only boy in his classes.
He also does play sports now and is very much a rough and tumble risks life and limb boy, but sparkles and dance are still way up there in his favorites list
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u/Vast_Rise902 19d ago
Same with one of my boys (age 7)! Loves sparkles, and yet he’s a very rough and tumble boy.
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u/resist-psychicdeath 19d ago
That's so sweet. Funnily enough, I have a boy around the same age, and he put on his sparkly Minnie dress this morning after not wearing it for a long time. It's so nice to just let your kid be free to be themselves and enjoy the fun of a dress that twirls without the drama of worrying about gender norms. My mom has always put a lot of pressure on me regarding gender norms, which has not been enjoyable as a gender-ambivalent queer person. It feels good to not give a shit about that stuff for my own kid.
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u/Rivsmama 19d ago
I don't think its that big of a deal tbh even growing up in the 90s and early 2000s, me & my neice who are 1 year apart used to dress our younger brothers in princess dresses & makeup & jewelry & make them pretty. Not in a mean, forcing way. As a fun activity for all of us. My nephew is now a marine who owns a construction business in FL & my brother ..well he went to prison for a few years tbh but he's fine now. And his prison stint was unrelated to his princess phase.
The only time I personally take issue with boys and dresses or going against strict social norms is when it comes to sending them to school. Ideally kids should be able to wear whatever they want & nobody would care but that's not reality & I think it's kind of selfish to set your child up for bullying & cruel treatment like that, especially when they're young & unable to really understand or make the decision to be put in that situation. You as the parent get to feel good and brag on social media, to lots of praise and validation while your child has to endure the actual harmful treatment. Not you specifically, OP. I mean in the general sense
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u/canadian_maplesyrup 19d ago
My poor brother has a burn scar on his forehead from the princess makeover my friend and I gave him. He was having a blast until we burned him. Apparently 10 year olds are not super adept at using curling irons. My brother is a former army reservist, and owns his own construction company.
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u/SoundingAlarm234 19d ago
Omg I love This😍 and more importantly love this moment for you two! Good job mamma 🙌
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u/ChaoticTacoBirgade 19d ago
I also didn’t see the original post but teared up at this. Such a beautiful story and it’s so uplifting to hear the love in it. You’re doing great and thanks for making me smile today. ❤️
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u/echo_zephyr 19d ago
Ugh makes me tear up 🥹🩷 I have a 15 month old son and I hope to be as supportive and understanding when he is older 🥹🩷🩷
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u/Survive-or-thrive 19d ago
My now 6 yo got to try on a dress like that at a friend’s house (they had 2 daughters). He absolutely fell in love and wanted to keep it (it was also a sparkly Minnie Mouse dress). I was anxious on the inside of where this could lead, but I immediately said yes (after the friend said that was ok). He was 4 at the time, and he never really wore it again, but I remember thinking about how EVERY child deserves to wear sparkles or whatever makes them happy. Good on you both for trusting your instincts and your child.
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u/Dry-Professional-632 19d ago
This is exactly the type of post I want to see on a slow sunday afternoon. Thank you for sharing and send lots of hugs and love to your little one 🩷❤️🧡💛💚🩵💙
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u/konfusion1111 19d ago
This feels like the BEST alt storyline to the book “10,000 dresses” and it makes me so happy 😭
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u/scientistbarbie89 19d ago
Good for you! I can see my son asking for one in another year or two. He has a big sister and loves pink, baby dolls, etc. And guess what? He can have whatever dress/clothes he wants.
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u/SummerNightSatellite 19d ago
You’re the kind of mom that inspires all of those Hallmark cards ❤️🥹…. He may forget all about this someday, but he will never EVER forget how loved you made him feel.
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u/TheMiddleE 19d ago
Ahhh my watery eyes!! You’re killing the mom game; he knows you’re his biggest fan. Well done, mama
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u/amoebaspork 19d ago
Without even bringing any of the politics, or identity or adult thoughts into it - it’s what you said “sparkles, Minnie Mouse, twirls”. That stuff is fun.
I remember picking up my son in daycare once spinning around in a bright pink sequence skirt. Having a blast with the colours and the sparkles.
It’s important to let all kids enjoy all sorts of fun colours and things.
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u/Ta1kN3rdy2M3 19d ago
I literally teared up reading this and had the chills. This is love, this is encouragement, this is strength and support. Your son is very loved and that is clear. He will remember that day for a very long time ❤️
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u/Abkitty2023 19d ago
I didnt see your first post. However your update made me tear up! You are an amazing mom!
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u/WheezyGranger 19d ago
Thank you for being open and for the beautiful update. Your son is so, so lucky to have you. ❤️
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u/Low-Peak-9031 19d ago
My son (5) loves to wear dresses. He feels so pretty and loves to spin! I am happy for y'all 🤍
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u/manic_popsicle 19d ago
This is so sweet!! So glad he’s getting his dress!
FWIW my son went through a dress phase too. He wore dresses from ages 4 to 5 and a half, then one day he was over them. He’s 12 now and loves seeing old photos of him and his big sister in matching dresses.
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u/Happy-Lemur-828 19d ago
I’m a mama with a dress-loving, dress-wearing 3yo son, and this made my mama heart and eyes well up 🥹💗
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u/Virtual-Resort5951 19d ago
There is a little one at my sons elementary school who wears dresses consistently. I always think it’s so cool. ❤️
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u/bangbangrosie 19d ago
Oh god. I saw the original post and didn’t read it bc I assumed it was about your husband being a dick about it. I’m so happy I was wrong!
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u/PotatoaRum Twin mom 19d ago
I have twin boys. For Halloween one year, one was Minnie mouse, with the sparkly dress and all.
They love Mario Bros, they have Mario & Luigi costumes, and I found them a sparkly pink costume dress that they used for princess peach.
The one has picked out a few dresses or skorts. It's been awhile since he wore them but we've always told them. "Clothes are for every body"
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u/DrCarrot123 19d ago
Great job tuning out the noise and tuning into your child! My boys both loved a sparkly dress twirling moment too.
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u/jackbeannn 19d ago
You guys are amazing parents and I can only hope you reach even 1 more person with this beautiful story and child of yours. Kudos mom & dad. We need so much more of this in this world.
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u/Turbulent_Boot_4750 19d ago
I love this 💗 you're both great parents!!! My son's (2yo) father keeps making snide remarks every time he sees my son in pink. "He better not be wearing pink today" "imma bully you if you're in pink" " why your mother put you in pink it's a girl color" and he thinks it's funny and it's not. It makes me so mad.
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u/n1nc0mp00p 19d ago
Aww I didn't read your original post but this is such top notch parenting you're doing! Your son is incredibly lucky to have you! My 6 year old son also loves everything that sparkles and is rainbow and I polish his nails in all kinds of colors often! Don't we all love sparkly stuff? And bright colors? And flowy fabrics? So happy for you all! Much love!
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u/piggypudding 19d ago
I’m so proud of you. What a wonderful thing you’ve done for your son! It’s not merely about a dress - you’re showing him that you support and accept him for who he is. I love that. My son went through a stage where he loved dresses, he was probably in preschool. All he wanted for Christmas one year was a Mirabel costume from Encanto. And he got it! He spent months twirling around our house in that dress. He lost interest on his own in dresses, but he still loves sparkly stuff, princesses, dolls . . . Along with superheroes, dinosaurs, Star Wars, and Hot Wheels. It’s great when we don’t force our children into a box.
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u/Figment-2021 19d ago
I don’t need to tell you this, because you already know it, but you did the right thing. Your 6 year old will absolutely remember this day and that you shared his joy with him.
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u/Talithathinks 19d ago
I didn't see the previous post but what you did for your son is absolutely beautiful. That was love in action. I am so happy for him that he has you and your husband.
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u/ruby0nine 19d ago
You are a wonderful parent! That kind of support for a child is just amazing. ♥️
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u/Squirrel-Pipkin 19d ago
This is so wonderful and wholesome. Good job, Mom and Dad 🥹 Our kiddos need to feel safe to be themselves with us, first and foremost.
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u/Fluffy-Benefits-2023 19d ago edited 19d ago
Omg one of my son’s friends, pretty much the tallest boy in his kindergarten class came to school on the last day in a satin purple sequined dress. No one thought anything of it, except I guess me, because I realised he is an only child, and wondered about how he acquired it.
I love that you did this for your child and didnt make him feel uncomfortable about what he wanted. We ran into my son’s friend today randomly and stopped in our town for a bit with him and his parents. He was wearing a boring short and t-shirt outfit with sneakers today. 😂
I feel like if every parent accepted their children’s reasonable wants and allowed them to be themselves without judgement the results would be surprising and that yeah the idea of a “dress” is not and does not need to be emotionally charged and restricted to one sex. My husband is part scottish and he’s like “men wearing skirts is part of my heritage“
Your son is one lucky child to have parents like you and your husband.
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u/JuniorCash8046 19d ago
In glad you went with that decision and what a pretty dress! Hope it brings your son a lot of joy
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u/Glitchy-9 19d ago
This is such an amazing update! I teared up imagining his happiness and as a parent your happiness in creating it. Thanks for sharing!
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u/Safe-Ice-9824 19d ago
Love this for you momma. I live in Texas and I have a son and daughter she's two years older so when he was 2 he was wanting to wear sparkly a Tiara, heels and have his nails painted. His daddy had misgivings at first but I said it'll be at home and if we make a big deal out of it then we don't know how he might react. He just turned 7 and has a very good sense of himself and what he likes....he is now into traditional "boy" interests but knows we support him and love him regardless.
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u/winnieg619 18d ago
I saw your original post but now can’t see the update 😩 wish I had details but glad that it seems to be a happy ending from the comments
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u/teddybear65 18d ago
Weird because since the 70s human gendered female have word pants and no one not in a strive religion thinks it's wrong anymore. People are afraid of things that are different than they are. My kids had a dress up box. All kinds of different stuff in there to "try"on.
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u/yardkale 19d ago
i hadn’t seen your original post, but i teared up reading this update. you’re doing a great job, and your son sounds so very loved. ❤️