Pink Boys

So I had to make yesterday's post wordless, since it was Wordless Wednesday, but promised the story behind the photo.

With the weather turning cooler, I decided to go through Ella's wool collection and see what fits still and what I need to sell. As I was trying pants on her, Sean found the pink skirt and wanted to put it on. I wasn't brave enough to try wool on him when he was little, but he sure loves wearing Ella's wool. Too bad he's too big for it now (cost wise, I wouldn't want to pay for pants big enough for him.) Anyway, the skirt. I bought it last spring, for Ella to wear over the summer. I totally guessed wrong on her measurements and it is way too big for her. Fits skinny minnie Sean just fine though! LOL

So once he had the skirt on, he wanted the headband, too. And then I realized that his school is doing their color month now and I should see if the pink shirt from last year still fits him.

Tada! My pretty little pink boy!

Which then reminded me of an interesting blog I read a few weeks ago, Sarah Hoffman: On Parenting a Boy who is Different. Both of my boys have enjoyed wearing pink, choosing pink colors when drawing, dressing up in mommy's shoes, and playing with sparkly clothes. I am totally comfortable with them playing dress up at home and not the least bit concerned about it. I think it takes a lot of courage and independence for a young male child to go outside the home, especially to school, in feminine colors/clothing. I would hope that if my sons felt this strongly about such a decision that I would be supportive like Sarah.

My mom thought I was a bit of a "gender bender" in my late teen years, as I lived in combat boots, wore baggy black clothing and shaved my head. Typical of the punk/goth crowd I was in. While she didn't like it, she also didn't try to change me.

It's hard to understand why people get so hung up on stuff as meaningless as a color or skirt vs pants. Life is too precious not to be happy while you live it peacefully.