Two thoughtful pieces this week reflect on supporting our children’s gender expression, and both are worth a read.
- In “My Son’s Shoes Are In the Closet,” at It’s a Bold Life, a straight mom writes about her son’s purchase of girl’s shoes with glitter and gems, and his confidence—and hesitations—in wearing them to school. Would that all parents were as supportive as she is.
- In “My Daughter Is Not a Princess,” at HuffPo, Vikki (of Up Popped a Fox) writes about the additional complications when a gender nonconforming child has a lesbian mom. How do we deal with the incorrect assumptions that a queer parent produces a queer child? How do we continue to support our children in their individuality? It’s a beautiful piece. Enjoy.
- [Update] A third good read on the topic, just published this morning, is “Boys Who Wear Pink,” by Susan Goldberg (of Mama Non Grata) at Today’s Parent. She explores her complicated feelings as her son seems to be moving away from his love of pink and sparkly clothing.