Do you think they were right to ban him?

Especially as they most probably would not ban a girl for dressing up as Spiderman or some other male character.

Surely it is the ban that has put things out of proportion? Banning a 5yo child from a playgroup for dressing up is bonkers.

By 'dealt with' Bags I meant worked out quietly and without rancour on either side. Instead it has been blown up (by the mother) out of all proportion. I'd call her more than a 'silly bugger' but I'm not going to waste energy on this silly incident.

One could equally well ask What is wrong with people who freak out about a small kid in a dress just because they think he ought to be wearing something different?

He'll most probably grow out of this dressing-up phase naturally. Why not just leave him be?

I've always hated the tyranny of the 'Dress Code' - yet oddly I have always dressed conventionally...

What is wrong with this mum, why cant she se that her boy will have to conform to certain rules as he gets older, he already wears boys school uniform so why not let him wear casual jean and t shirt etc for play group.
He must learn that certain things are appropriate for certain situations.
He can wear what he likes at home-end of story.

But it is not actually wrong for anyone to own 100 dresses be they male or female. It's just not what most people would choose to spend their money on. Other people have other harmless hobbies/interests that use up a lot of money and nobody bats an eyelid.

Does anyone know why the mother publicised the story (other than because of the reported ban of the child from playgroup)? If we have no further information on that then we shouldn't be judging her for doing so.

Purpledaffodil's post sums up my feelings well, that boys and girls dress up as part of growing up.

My main issue with the whole story is the way in which it ended up given such publicity, with so many photographs of this very attractive little boy in his glorious frocks. I agree with others, that it sounds as though his mother is behind the publicity. Any parent who chooses to seek publicity through their children, in this kind of way worries me. It's all a bit excessive isn't it, 100 frocks is potty. I'm all for children having a collection of dressing up clothes, and for children exploring clothes or identities of the opposite gender. It's the publicity, together with the number of frocks, that makes me feel for this little boy and his sisters.

Apologies, I have not read through this thread properly but 100 dresses! There can't be many girls who have that many dresses, I know mine didn't between the three of them. Mostly they wore trousers and doc martens come to think of it . sounds a bit as though he may need some male input but not banned.

I agree, aka, that any "dealing with" the situation should have been done quietly if possible but I'm not sure there is anything really to deal with. I'm not ready to criticise the mother for taking the story to the press (or for allowing the press to get it out of her for payment). If she felt her child was being treated unfairly I think she's right to shout about it.

Kids high heels are not very high. I wouldn't buy any for kids of mine but they are not like the ridiculous things some women wear. The ones I've seen juat have a slight heel. I bet the school wouldn't object if a girl wore such to the after school playgroup. Nor to the dresses for that matter. It appears to me that sexist prejudice is at the root of the objections.

I think it's wrong to say that parents shouldn't do things which might cause other, mean people to bully a child. If we all kept to that rule, no-one would ever dare to be a little different from whatever the current imposed 'norm' happened to be. Not a healthy approach to life at all in my view.

I think the mother is right to stick up for him. He's not doing anything intrinsically wrong and neither is she. It's the criticisers and the bullies (if there are any bullies involved; was bullying mentioned or is it only feared?) who are in the wrong.

This matter should have been dealt with quietly and privately, but someone (mother I'm guessing) chose to go to the press. That says quite a lot about this woman.

I do think they are entitled to object to high heels where small kids are involved. You cannot play properly with them on and they are not safe to run around in.

Looking at the article though I do wonder what mum's agenda is. It looks as if the the poor lad is being spoilt rotten and that will do him no good at all.

bikergran, I totally agree with you- the mother should realise that it would lead to bullying and making his life difficult. Of course when he is older, that would be a totally different thing. I feel mum and sisters have possibly encouraged him and that it really was a pretty daft idea.

My ex sil also had 2 daughters and then a son quite a bit later. After a very difficult divorce- the girls and her all ended up very anti man, and encouraged little boy to be part of the girl gang- dressing up, etc. At 18, he tried to commit suicide several times, and at 19 had the full man into woman conversion. I always wondered to what extent the situation played a huge part in this?

You never ever know * jingle* , Maybe ??
They can spring suprises on us !

The mind boggles at the sheer cost - these dressing up outfits are not cheap by any means, then add in the cost of shoes and accessories. I would like that much to spend on clothes myself! But not princess dresses, I'm too old, and never liked them amyway.

My dream grandaughter climbs trees in a sparkly pink tutu.

I think your comments are probably spot on, purpledaff.

annsixty, I hope your GD finds the counselling helpful

GS whos 7 often puts on DD dressing gown, and comes downstairs in a morning(its bright pink) he has on occasions put his mums bra on over his t shirt (for a joke) but I would and DD would put a halt to dressing up and going school on the stuff that this young boy wears..if he wanted to dress up in later yrs then fine..but no I would not allow it..it is just open to so much teasing and bulllying

As the grandmother of two small boys, I am always very fed up when I try to buy them clothes and find nothing but a couple of rails, mainly navy or brown, while there is a plethora of girls' clothes in a myriad of lovely colours. No wonder little boys can be drawn to the sparkly pink stuff, they are bored!
I am also not sure of the thinking that girls will need all this because they are little princesses, whereas the boys are too busy climbing trees in their sludge coloured clothes.
Dressing up as a princess or a fire fighter is a natural part of a child's development, regardless of gender. Buying any child 100 dresses and high heels is something else entirely. As for the ban, I suspect we do not have the full story here from either side. But it sells newspapers,especially sensationalist ones

Wrong thread

It's a sad thing that we have come so far from the days when a boy's penknife was an innocent possession.

But if he was so inclined, I think I might be proud of my daughter for backing him. Bearing in mind that it is only an after school club.

I would hate my DG/S going to school in frocks & high-heels .

:-) :-)

Yes. You sort of said that did n't you Petallus. Soz