Ann.without.an.e Posted November 30, 2010 Share Posted November 30, 2010 My 18 month old loves Dora. He "reads" the books all the time and Dora is the only movie he will watch at all. He adores Backpack and talks about Backpack all.the.time. He gets so excited about backpack. I know that he would love to get a little backpack like Dora for Christmas. But, it is purple. Yet, he is so little...right? This shouldn't matter, but somehow it does...I can't decide..what do you think? :confused: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rootsnwings Posted November 30, 2010 Share Posted November 30, 2010 If that's what he loves...... fwiw, my big burly 9yo loved Loved LOVED Carebears when he was little (3-5)...we have SO many of those little care bears it's in sane! He would take them EVERYwhere with him and his fave is/was Harmony Bear--the purple one, with lollipops, lol.... of course that time only lasts for so long... now he doesn't care ANYTHING about carebears (except that he's glad his brother & sister love them too! :)) but I'm so glad I let him have them when he wanted them. I think its very important to keep a good balance on the girl/boy stuff when they're little. They NEED that outlet and learning experience, and need to feel like they can play (learn) however they want to without feeling any sort of "taboo". I promise, regardless of whether he brings home Barbie Swan Lake from the movie store will not make a hill of beans in another 10 years or so! ;) FWIW, my ds DID tivo the Tinkerbell movies over the weekend and really enjoyed them... but so did I! They were really cute movies! That doesn't make him any less BOY than he already is. Of course he would DIE if I told his buddies he was watching tinkerbell (lol) but I honestly don't think there is anything inherently WRONG with it. We have enough gun fights & dragon slayings to balance things out around here!!! ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosie_0801 Posted November 30, 2010 Share Posted November 30, 2010 Don't even start second guessing this stuff until he's old enough to be embarrassed at being caught out. He's surely not there yet. Even then, what judging people don't find out won't hurt anyone. :) Rosie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kwg Posted November 30, 2010 Share Posted November 30, 2010 Get it! My son chose pink training wheels when he was 4. I was worried what the kids in the neighborhood would say but he handled it. Shocked a little girl said "Your training wheels are pink" and he happily replied, "I know! " and that was that. At 8 he actually hesitated when the only crayon left was pink yesterday :lol: So yup get it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SquirrellyMama Posted November 30, 2010 Share Posted November 30, 2010 I wouldn't worry about it for an 18 month old. Buy him the backpack. Kelly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nono Posted November 30, 2010 Share Posted November 30, 2010 Gosh, I'm old. I remember when purple was just a color and not a "not boys color." Of course I would fulfill my little one's heart's desire! Esp. since it wouldn't break the bank. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MelanieM Posted November 30, 2010 Share Posted November 30, 2010 Yes, I would get the backpack. I'd probably throw in a Dora doll as well. (Well, if I were into plastic made in China garbage toys, that is...) Why could this possibly be an issue? What is it you fear is going to happen to your boy if he has a purple backpack? Melanie (whose daughter *and* sons wear tiaras and princess dresses in between Star Wars battles) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IsabelC Posted November 30, 2010 Share Posted November 30, 2010 Nope, but I wouldn't get one for a girl either ;) If it's the gender appropriateness that's bothering you, I'm with Melanie. My son has worn skirts, dresses, pink things, has quite long hair, and nope he is not confused and his boy bits haven't dropped off yet :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Margo out of lurking Posted November 30, 2010 Share Posted November 30, 2010 Gosh, I'm old. I remember when purple was just a color and not a "not boys color." I must be even older. I didn't know purple wasn't a boy color. I'd buy him the backpack. If he were 6, I'd try to steer him to something else, because I'd want to be sure it's something he'd like for a few years. My ds took over my dd's hot pink Barbie car when he was little (those big motorized ones the little kids drive). Dh and I were the only ones who seemed to care that it was pink. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChristusG Posted November 30, 2010 Share Posted November 30, 2010 Oh yes, definitely get it for him! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abbeyej Posted November 30, 2010 Share Posted November 30, 2010 For an 18mo? Totally!!! Absolutely okay. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thescrappyhomeschooler Posted November 30, 2010 Share Posted November 30, 2010 We bought the Dora Talking Kitchen for my ds1 when he was 3. That was the only thing he wanted. Eventually the boys ripped off the oven door and started using it as a shield in their battles, so I guess they got over the "girliness" of it! :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wheres Toto Posted November 30, 2010 Share Posted November 30, 2010 I would definitely get it for him. I always wonder why people question this stuff for boys but not for girls? My youngest wears her brothers old clothes, plays with "boy" toys, etc. and no one finds it strange but when my ds wants to play with a play kitchen or have his nails painted, people go nuts. A few have said it is fine to pass down his Thomas bike to her but we shouldn't let him ride her pink ride-on. :confused: Although I have to say I've been impressed at my kids gymnastic class. It's ALL boys except dd. I was so worried that ds would be the only boy and instead dd is the only girl. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Okra Posted November 30, 2010 Share Posted November 30, 2010 If you are worried about it, then just make sure Boots if prominently featured on the backpack. Okra Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Down_the_Rabbit_Hole Posted November 30, 2010 Share Posted November 30, 2010 My 18 month old loves Dora. He "reads" the books all the time and Dora is the only movie he will watch at all. He adores Backpack and talks about Backpack all.the.time. He gets so excited about backpack. I know that he would love to get a little backpack like Dora for Christmas. But, it is purple. Yet, he is so little...right? This shouldn't matter, but somehow it does...I can't decide..what do you think? :confused: For sure, get it! My at the time 4 yr old boy wanted a baby doll and a stroller...all he wanted one year for Christmas. (Try to find a stroller that is boyish...extremely hard) This was his favorite thing that Christmas and played with it for months. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sophia Posted November 30, 2010 Share Posted November 30, 2010 If you are worried about it, then just make sure Boots if prominently featured on the backpack. Okra Or Diego. My boys liked Dora until they saw Diego, then preferred him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LidiyaDawn Posted November 30, 2010 Share Posted November 30, 2010 Definitely! Our son (12 now) had some "girl toys" when he was younger because he thought they were fun and it never hurt him any. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iquilt Posted November 30, 2010 Share Posted November 30, 2010 Yes, if that what he loves. Would you buy a transformers backpack for a girl? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katemary63 Posted November 30, 2010 Share Posted November 30, 2010 I always wonder why people question this stuff for boys but not for girls? My youngest wears her brothers old clothes, plays with "boy" toys, etc. and no one finds it strange but when my ds wants to play with a play kitchen or have his nails painted, people go nuts. A few have said it is fine to pass down his Thomas bike to her but we shouldn't let him ride her pink ride-on. :confused: I agree this is weird and doesn't make any sense. But I totally fall into it. While I would buy the Dora back pack for an 18 mo. old, I wouldn't for an older kid and I would never pass down a girlie bike to a boy. I'd repaint it first. But I would pass down a boys bike to a girl. And if a son let one of the girls piant his nails, I'd laugh about it, but then I'd make him take it off within the hour. My DD9 wears camo and target shoots the BB gun she got last Christmas. You're right, dumb. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happyWImom Posted November 30, 2010 Share Posted November 30, 2010 I agree this is weird and doesn't make any sense. But I totally fall into it. While I would buy the Dora back pack for an 18 mo. old, I wouldn't for an older kid and I would never pass down a girlie bike to a boy. I'd repaint it first. But I would pass down a boys bike to a girl. And if a son let one of the girls piant his nails, I'd laugh about it, but then I'd make him take it off within the hour. My DD9 wears camo and target shoots the BB gun she got last Christmas. You're right, dumb. Well, my ds only has an older sister, and it has definitely influenced him! He had the Dora kitchen, would play with her Barbie's, and I let him wear her bike helmet when she outgrew it (pink-princess). My mom is not thrilled about all of this, of course. But, he likes trucks, trains, legos, etc... the typical "boy toys", too. I think it's all okay. Buy the backpack.:001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unsinkable Posted November 30, 2010 Share Posted November 30, 2010 Get it! My son chose pink training wheels when he was 4. I was worried what the kids in the neighborhood would say but he handled it. Shocked a little girl said "Your training wheels are pink" and he happily replied, "I know! " and that was that. At 8 he actually hesitated when the only crayon left was pink yesterday :lol: So yup get it! When my DS15 was two, he picked out pink Mickey Mouse ears at Disney. The lady who embroiders the name on the ears tried to talk us out of it! Wasn't pink a color for baby boys in the 1800s? :confused: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unsinkable Posted November 30, 2010 Share Posted November 30, 2010 My 18 month old loves Dora. He "reads" the books all the time and Dora is the only movie he will watch at all. He adores Backpack and talks about Backpack all.the.time. He gets so excited about backpack. I know that he would love to get a little backpack like Dora for Christmas. But, it is purple. Yet, he is so little...right? This shouldn't matter, but somehow it does...I can't decide..what do you think? :confused: Get the backpack. Don't even worry about it! :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JudoMom Posted November 30, 2010 Share Posted November 30, 2010 My 18 month old loves Dora. He "reads" the books all the time and Dora is the only movie he will watch at all. He adores Backpack and talks about Backpack all.the.time. He gets so excited about backpack. I know that he would love to get a little backpack like Dora for Christmas. But, it is purple. Yet, he is so little...right? This shouldn't matter, but somehow it does...I can't decide..what do you think? :confused: I understand your hesitance, but I would still get it for him. My 4th son's favorite color for awhile was pink, and it thrilled him when I was able to find him a pink sippy cup that didn't have princess and other girly things on it (he'd walk up to people carrying his pink sippy cup and declare "my favorite color is pink!" and wait for them to argue :lol:...yeah, he's a spitfire). My ds5 loves Dora as well (though it's now longer his favorite), and I would buy him this backpack if he was younger and just falling in love with Dora. However, I didn't buy him any other Dora things (like bandaids), because they all had a very "girly" motif, kwim? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
babysparkler Posted November 30, 2010 Share Posted November 30, 2010 Or Diego.My boys liked Dora until they saw Diego, then preferred him. :iagree: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mejane Posted November 30, 2010 Share Posted November 30, 2010 Get it. His friends aren't old enough to make fun of him yet. :glare: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dana Posted November 30, 2010 Share Posted November 30, 2010 When my son was about 2 year old (maybe a bit younger), I took him to get new shoes. He found some pink Hello Kitty boots and fell in LOVE:001_wub: with them. They were cheap, so I went ahead and got them (slightly hesitantly). He put them on and walked through the mall with them. I've got wonderful photos of him wearing his pink boots with a HUGE grin on his face. I'd say get him the backpack and enjoy his excitement :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nono Posted November 30, 2010 Share Posted November 30, 2010 For sure, get it!My at the time 4 yr old boy wanted a baby doll and a stroller...all he wanted one year for Christmas. (Try to find a stroller that is boyish...extremely hard) This was his favorite thing that Christmas and played with it for months. LOL! That's my son this year, and I was thinking it was soooo cool that the stroller was purple, until I read this thread! :D I also found a baby boy doll for him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MelanieM Posted November 30, 2010 Share Posted November 30, 2010 This thread makes me want to buy my sons nothing but pink, sparkly bits for Christmas. Perhaps we'll paint our toe nails this afternoon with the purple polish my 5 yo chose for himself last year. Gosh, I really dislike gender stereotypes. LOVE the pink Hello Kitty boots story! :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dana Posted November 30, 2010 Share Posted November 30, 2010 Gosh, I really dislike gender stereotypes. LOVE the pink Hello Kitty boots story! :D He was very proud of them. What was so strange to me about the situation is that I consider myself very much a feminist and very against traditional gender roles (odd that I ended up a SAHM... but it really is all about choice). Yet when ds wanted the boots, I hesitated. I hate that I hesitated and that I really had to think about it before getting them. It's really something to see how very aware we are of gender roles. I hope we can make more changes so ds wouldn't even think before buying his son pink boots :) Dh had no problems with the boots either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom2jjka Posted November 30, 2010 Share Posted November 30, 2010 I would definitely get it for him. Just like, my 7 yr old DD has asked for "Batman and Robin" stuff for Christmas, and I'll happily get that for her, too. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaissezFaire Posted November 30, 2010 Share Posted November 30, 2010 No but I wouldn't buy one for a girl either. I don't like to buy licensed character stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T'smom Posted November 30, 2010 Share Posted November 30, 2010 I'd get it! My 3 yo son loves Dora (and Diego). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dawn in OH Posted November 30, 2010 Share Posted November 30, 2010 At that age, I wouldn't worry about it. Let him have the Dora backpack. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MicheleinMN Posted November 30, 2010 Share Posted November 30, 2010 For an 18mo? Totally!!! Absolutely okay. :) :iagree::iagree::iagree: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiguirre Posted November 30, 2010 Share Posted November 30, 2010 My 18 month old loves Dora. He "reads" the books all the time and Dora is the only movie he will watch at all. He adores Backpack and talks about Backpack all.the.time. He gets so excited about backpack. I know that he would love to get a little backpack like Dora for Christmas. But, it is purple. Yet, he is so little...right? This shouldn't matter, but somehow it does...I can't decide..what do you think? :confused: You know, if I had to guess, I'd guess Backpack, the character, is a boy. I think Map is a boy too. Even if they weren't, who wouldn't want a magical backpack that has just what you need when you need it?!? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garga Posted November 30, 2010 Share Posted November 30, 2010 I always wonder why people question this stuff for boys but not for girls? My youngest wears her brothers old clothes, plays with "boy" toys, etc. and no one finds it strange but when my ds wants to play with a play kitchen or have his nails painted, people go nuts. A few have said it is fine to pass down his Thomas bike to her but we shouldn't let him ride her pink ride-on. :confused: It's still steeped in our culture that men's pursuits are more admirable and desirable than women's, whereas women's pursuits aren't as valid as men's. So, for a male to pursue a female interest, he is becoming "lesser than", but for a female to pursue a male interest, she is "rising above." It stinks, but it's there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duckens Posted November 30, 2010 Share Posted November 30, 2010 I haven't read all of the other posts, so I apologize if someone else has posted this. I hope that I can be as good of a mom as this blogger is, and love my children as she does. http://nerdyapplebottom.com/2010/11/02/my-son-is-gay/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NanceXToo Posted November 30, 2010 Share Posted November 30, 2010 Yes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LibraryLover Posted November 30, 2010 Share Posted November 30, 2010 I once bought a 3 yr old pink & white Nala (Lion King) sneakers. So yes, if my loved something inexpensive that was harmless and sweet, I would. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catwoman Posted November 30, 2010 Share Posted November 30, 2010 Definitely buy it! And some other Dora and Diego stuff, too! (Personally, I think Swiper is adorable and wish someone would buy him for me...) Cat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamaBearTeacher Posted November 30, 2010 Share Posted November 30, 2010 If you are worried about him walking around with a purple backpack on his back there are fun "backpack" toys for that age that don't look feminine at all. I remember considering buying one for my son and it did not look like a girl's thing. Backpack doesn't have eyelashes. He looks male to me. BUT I do agree with everyone that it doesn't matter at all at that age. I think manufacturers have made toys and clothes for kids way too gender-specific, don't you think? It seems to have gotten a lot worse in the past few decades. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hathersage Posted November 30, 2010 Share Posted November 30, 2010 When my DS15 was two, he picked out pink Mickey Mouse ears at Disney. The lady who embroiders the name on the ears tried to talk us out of it! Wasn't pink a color for baby boys in the 1800s? :confused: Yes, Pink was a boys color, but in the 1920's until Hitler got a hold of it. (the pink triangle). Color assigning started in about the 1920's, pink was considered appropriate for boys because being related to red it was the more masculine and decided color, while blue was considered appropriate for girls because it was the more delicate and dainty color, or related to the Virgin Mary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tidbits of Learning Posted November 30, 2010 Share Posted November 30, 2010 My 18 month old loves Dora. He "reads" the books all the time and Dora is the only movie he will watch at all. He adores Backpack and talks about Backpack all.the.time. He gets so excited about backpack. I know that he would love to get a little backpack like Dora for Christmas. But, it is purple. Yet, he is so little...right? This shouldn't matter, but somehow it does...I can't decide..what do you think? :confused: I would, but I also gave my three year old daughter an all out incredible HULK birthday that my mother hated. My dd loved it and still likes to look at the pictures. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsquirrel Posted November 30, 2010 Share Posted November 30, 2010 I let both my boys wear and play with anything they like. If they want their nails painted etc then go for it. Both went through a pink skirt phase. FWIW, my brother has three older sisters and wore his fair share of nightgowns and other pink clothes. We used to do his hair and 'make up' when we were teenagers and he was a little kid. Well, this must have been good for him because he has attracted only the best female companions. He dated a bit in college and every time I was impressed by his choice. He settled down young and expecting his first, a daughter, in a month or so. His wife is an amazing woman. I think all that training by his big sisters taught him how to talk to women. He certainly figured out how to pick the wheat from the chaff. I will never forget his prom. His walked up to his date, looked into her eyes and said "I really like your shoes. They look great with your dress." :lol: She just melted, lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mo2 Posted November 30, 2010 Share Posted November 30, 2010 My 18 month old loves Dora. He "reads" the books all the time and Dora is the only movie he will watch at all. He adores Backpack and talks about Backpack all.the.time. He gets so excited about backpack. I know that he would love to get a little backpack like Dora for Christmas. But, it is purple. Yet, he is so little...right? This shouldn't matter, but somehow it does...I can't decide..what do you think? :confused: Buy it. Who cares what other people think anyway? I'm currently in the market for Diego's rescue pack myself! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ondreeuh Posted November 30, 2010 Share Posted November 30, 2010 Last year for my son's second birthday I gave him the orange Diego backpack. He was familiar with it, although he watched Dora more. He called it "Backpack!" instead of "Rescue Pack!" at least. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PinkInTheBlue Posted November 30, 2010 Share Posted November 30, 2010 For the last few days our 4yr old has been pretending to be a girl from time to time. I was explaining to the 14 and 12yr olds that pretending to be a girl was no different to him than pretending to be a puppy or knight. Our 14yr old looked at me with an incredulous look and said "I know that Mom" laugh, laugh. Of course I said "Ok, ok, I just wanted to explain so you didn't make fun of him". He thought I was nuts for thinking it needed to be explained. I was so proud. :) LOL AND, he's my skateboarding boy-boy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sagira Posted December 1, 2010 Share Posted December 1, 2010 My ds knows, from SOTW, that purple is the color of royalty. In addition, he sees our priest wear purple at least on Easter Sunday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lynn Posted December 1, 2010 Share Posted December 1, 2010 My boys never asked, but yes I would have let them have a Dora backpack if they had asked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted December 1, 2010 Share Posted December 1, 2010 "Map" is a boy? That's a hoot! ;) (You know, "men never ask directions..." Might as well bust another stereotype while we are at it! LOL) I am pretty traditional, but I'd still get him the backpack, if I bought that sort of character stuff. And I believe men who grow up learning to nurture along with learning more traditional "man" stuff become better fathers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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