Many mothers of toddler or pre-school boys often face the time of when their little guys try on that little frilly tutu or pink princess dress and love it. There're hooked. From that moment on, you cringe every time to you attend a play date where he spends more time with his friend's sister's princess dress up clothes than playing with trucks and dinosaurs. Or when he passes up on play dates with boys and prefers those princess dress up clothes parties with girls.

Should you be concerned? Is he finding his inner self? Is this just a phase that he will outgrow?

Rest assured. In the vast majority of boys, this is just a brief stage that they go through in their development. They don't understand (or care) that society says that they should like the color blue, trucks and dinosaurs. They instead buck the norms and go for frilly and pink princess dresses. As they grow and mature most will move their interests to that of their boyhood peers.

If your little man likes to play princess dress up once in a while, you should check out the new non-fiction picture book, My Princess Boy, written by Cheryl Kilodavis. The author writes about her first hand experiences of her 4 year old son who loves dressing up in sequins, jewelry and anything pink. The book is a wonderful story about unconditional friendship, love and anti-bullying, and teaches children about accepting everyone regardless of their differences.

I have a brother who actually treads at the other end of the spectrum. He and his wife choose to not purchase anything girly or frilly for their little 3 year old girl. They want her to grow into a strong, independent woman and the way that they've chosen to instill these values are by allowing her to only play with toys that are gender neutral or traditional "boy toys" such as bats and balls. Why is being a "Tom boy" more socially acceptable than a "girly boy"?

I have two little girls, so I can't say I have experience with a "girly boy", but my heart says this. Let your children be whoever they want to be. Show love and respect to your children and they will love and respect themselves. The message in My Princess Boy isn't just for children but for adults (and parents) as well.

We want to hear from you. Would you purchase princess dress up clothes for your little boy? How about a kitchen set for him under the Christmas tree? Why is it more socially acceptable to raise a "tom boy" than a "girly boy"?

View all Melanie Rivers's articles

---

About the Author:
This article is courtesy of Everything Princesses, your one stop shop for  princess dress up clothes, princess costumes and anything else princess that you can think of for little girls ages 2 to 10.

More Child Care articles