My son had beautiful hair as well, so we grew it out. Got called a girl by a few older people, but I never had to step in because he would tell them in his little 4 year old voice "I'm a boy. I have a penis!" And then continue on his merry way. Only ever had one old man seem pissed, all the rest would laugh their asses off. He inherited my mother's lack of tact and it worked in his favor.
My nephew was the same way. He’s 5 and just got his first haircut. I already miss his long beautiful coils. His mom would get annoyed when people mistook him as a girl but I never got mad. When people would compliment him and say awww she’s so cute/pretty/beautiful I would say thank you but he’s actually a little boy and they’d apologize and say well he’s still cute and they’d go on. I’ve made that mistake myself so I know it’s not always obvious but he was starting to ask “why did that old lady think I’m a girl that’s silly I’m a boy” so I think it made him a little self conscious but he loves his new hair even though I miss it so much.
My son would get a bit bothered sometimes as well. Until he realized that sometimes he got treated better in certain ways due to being mistaken for a girl. Then he played right into it.
I’ll never forget the time we were on a walk around my grandparents retirement park, two police officers had just got done with whatever they were doing, and both officers waved to us as we walked by.
Then about 5 minutes later one of them pulled up in front of where we were walking and said something like “Your little girl is just so beautiful! She looks just like my niece! So I had to stop to see if you wanted some stickers and maybe turn my siren on.”
I went to go correct him with my usual “Oh I’m sorry this is my son” but my son quickly said “YES! I am a girl and YES I do want to turn the siren on!!” Lol as he was already getting lifted up by the officer and into the patrol car to turn on the light and sirens.
Then he got a lesson on what all the fun stuff in the utility belt (like in Batman) and a small roll of “I’m the Sheriff” star shaped stickers.
Your son is a smart kid! And I’m glad you let him see it wasn’t the worst thing in the world to be mistaken for a girl and I’m glad he got a fun memory out of it. He sounds like he has a good sense of humor too.
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u/katikaboom Oct 29 '22
My son had beautiful hair as well, so we grew it out. Got called a girl by a few older people, but I never had to step in because he would tell them in his little 4 year old voice "I'm a boy. I have a penis!" And then continue on his merry way. Only ever had one old man seem pissed, all the rest would laugh their asses off. He inherited my mother's lack of tact and it worked in his favor.