Boys will be boys

So the other day Abby drags out her pink, Disney Princess castle and three princesses (Cinderella, Belle and the latest addition to the gang - Snow White). She also has all their outfits, shoes, and two dwarves (Grumpy and Happy, I think) spread across the living room floor.

Then I hear Nicholas saying "I want to play, Abby!". Okay, so I try to be open-minded about the kids exchanging toys and not trap them in gender roles...but it was odd hearing that from my son. I turned around to see him sitting down in front of Abby's PINK Disney Princess castle. I'm ashamed to admit that I felt a wee bit odd watching my son happily seated by the pink castle surrounded by princess dolls. He grabbed Snow White and started to play.

I had a friend tell me once about a study that was done overseas. She said that girls were given traditionally "boy" toys to play with and boys were given traditionally "girl" toys. The study found that girls would make "families" and play with the trucks, etc in a girl-like way. The boys would take the dolls and make guns out of them (bending them like guns) or play war with them.

I don't know if I believed it until I saw it for myself.

Nicholas picked up Snow White and immediately started putting her on the top of the castle and having her jump off. Then he had her rolling down the stairs. Then there was a brawl with Snow White, a dwarf and Belle. I had to laugh...he may be playing with dolls and a pink castle, but Nicholas was doing it HIS way!

I love my kids.