Is it weird my son wants to do BBB as a princess?

[SillyOldBear]

So, my 4 year old wants to do BBB and dress up as Cinderella. I have offered Prince Charming or another character costume but he keeps saying he wants to be Cinderella. He has done the Pirate League 2x this past year and doesn't want to do it again. Has anyone else had this experience with their little boys? I am an open minded mom and would possibly let him but I don't want him to be made fun of. I know, I would be taking my chances-lol. Help!

 

[leebee]

I am an open-minded mom, and an open-minded person, so it wouldn't bother me if your DS was dressed as a princess. Unfortunately, everyone isn't as open minded so I do think your son would receive stares and maybe be teased. Perhaps he'd like to go to the Barbershop on Main St. and get his hair painted in various colors instead?

Honestly, though, with all the glitz and glam and hype, who wouldn't want to be a Princess for a day?

 

[DaisyMaisie]

I deleted my post because I confused the Op's name with someone else.

 

[leebee]

Deleted... this was in response to prior deletion!

 

[ses1230]

I am an open-minded mom, and an open-minded person, so it wouldn't bother me if your DS was dressed as a princess. Unfortunately, everyone isn't as open minded so I do think your son would receive stares and maybe be teased. Perhaps he'd like to go to the Barbershop on Main St. and get his hair painted in various colors instead?

Honestly, though, with all the glitz and glam and hype, who wouldn't want to be a Princess for a day?

I agree. Personally I don't have a problem but I would wonder if the little guy would hear comments. The barbershop is a great idea.

 

[Planogirl]

I wouldn't think that it would be a problem as young as he is. Do kids that age tease other kids about such things yet? He's probably curious and likes Cinderella.

 

[MikeOhio]

At that age I would not say that it is particularly weird bc kids that young just like to play dress up and don't really differentiate between male and female clothing. On the other hand I would def not let him do it and he will thank you later. When he is 8 and his friends or family bring it up I doubt he will be too happy lol. It would probably provide a good chuckle for the workers and other parks guests though.

 

[DaisyMaisie]

Sorry guys. Leebee thanks for the deletion.

I will admit to be thrown by the title of this thread, since I cannot see how whether people on the DIS board think it is "weird" is the primary issue. There will definitely be people who think it is "weird." Frankly we are all weird in some way, the issue is what would be best for the child.

Do you have any clue why he wants to dress up as Cinderella? I think this makes a big difference. If this is very important to your child, and dressing or acting female is something he is going to want to incorporate into his every day life, than you probably need to make sure he knows people may laugh, but who cares, and go ahead and support him. Yes people are going to stare and some may even make fun.

On the other hand, if it isn't really important than maybe you can figure out what he likes about it, and incorporate that in a different way. Or just go for it anyway, since Disney world will be a more supportive environment than most towns.

If your trip is after Halloween, maybe let him dress up as cinderella for Halloween, since people will just think that is cute without all the other issues.

 

[SillyOldBear]

Thanks to everyone for their input. My DS has been interested in dressing up in "pretty dresses" for the past few months. He dresses up in preschool in the play area and at the last birthday party there was a dress up corner with all princess dresses so he of course walked around the whole party in the Cinderella get up. He got some stares from other parents, the kids didn't seem to care. I guess I would feel beter if he was dressed up for Halloween only and not just a random day. But, he insists he wants to wear the Cinderella costume for most of the trip. I haven'y bought it in hopes he changes his mind.

 

[MommyRobin]

When we were at MK a month ago we saw a little girl who had been to BBB and dressed up as a princess. And there was her brother, probably about 3, dressed up as Tinkerbell. There were in line ahead of us. I told them BOTH how great they looked and the little boy looked as happy as could be. I also told their mother how great I thought it was that she let him choose what would make him happy that day. She said that he had his heart set on being Tinkerbell and I thought it was fantastic that she didn't let society's preconceived notions about what is gender-appropriate put a damper on his innocent wish. The important thing was that he was happy that day and felt special, as every child should at Disney.

 

[lovehoney]

I am an open-minded mom, and an open-minded person, so it wouldn't bother me if your DS was dressed as a princess. Unfortunately, everyone isn't as open minded so I do think your son would receive stares and maybe be teased. Perhaps he'd like to go to the Barbershop on Main St. and get his hair painted in various colors instead?
?

Maybe you can find him some cool pictures from the barber shop.
My DS (5 at the time) had green spiked hair and mickey confetti put in his hair at the barber shop. He looked like a Christmas tree, which was appropriate since it was December. He loved all of the comments people made. He even had a hidden mickey on the back of his head.

 

[angierae]

When we were at MK a month ago we saw a little girl who had been to BBB and dressed up as a princess. And there was her brother, probably about 3, dressed up as Tinkerbell. There were in line ahead of us. I told them BOTH how great they looked and the little boy looked as happy as could be. I also told their mother how great I thought it was that she let him choose what would make him happy that day. She said that he had his heart set on being Tinkerbell and I thought it was fantastic that she didn't let society's preconceived notions about what is gender-appropriate put a damper on his innocent wish. The important thing was that he was happy that day and felt special, as every child should at Disney.

This. If you think your son would understand if you told him "Some people think that boys shouldn't dress up like Princesses, so they might be surprised to see you, but you can wear whatever you want because you get to choose what you want to wear", I'd tell him something like that.

Might he regret it someday? Perhaps. He might also remember that mom and dad didn't tell him he couldn't be who he wanted to be when he was young, too, and that his parents supported him.

Who knows? If it bothers him down the road, you put away the pictures of him in the dress and go on with life.

 

[Sinderelly]

Yes, very weird.

 

[YO's Mom]

I don't think I would let a little boy do the BBB makeover because there is way too great of a chance of people being mean and nasty. I can just hear some big ol' macho man go on and on about how he'd never let his boy do that . . . It's a pretty public place for a child to do something so out of the ordinary. It's sad to realize that we have to worry about other people's reactions, but I never cease to be amazed by how entitled many people feel to comment on others choices and actions. Really, would it hurt anyone for your son to be Cinderella? No, but that won't stop the small-minded from speaking their piece. And the last thing you want is a crying child because some jerk called him a name. And, I have to admit, my own girls would probably comment on his being there. Not in a cruel way, but just, "Mommy, he's a boy! He's not supposed to wear a dress!" or "Why is a boy dressing up like a girl?" They are kids - they are used to things being a certain way. Even after 2 years they are still confused as to why one of their friends has 2 mommies. I think a boy Cinderella would definitely draw comments from other kids.

In the end, it’s your family and your decision, but just make sure you don’t underestimate the general public’s ability to be stupid and insensitive.

 

[ses1230]

I wouldn't think that it would be a problem as young as he is. Do kids that age tease other kids about such things yet? He's probably curious and likes Cinderella.

It wasn't kids I was thinking of, I was thinking about the parents, as sillyoldbear referenced in her subsequent post.

It made me think of a mom blog I read a while ago where the bloggers 5 yr old son dressed as a girls for a school Halloween party and the parents had more issue with it than the other kids.

 

[catra121]

I don't think it's really that unusual. My 3 year old nephew loves having his "purse" with him all the time and he talks about wanting to wear a skirt or a dress. I think a PP had it right that at that age they don't really differentiate between male and female things like that. If you son is particularly sensitive to comments that other people may make then I would probably try to steer him in another direction (because some people are just ignorant). But if his heart is set on it and it will make him very happy then that should be what is most important.

 

[OhioDisneyDad]

Weird is a relative term. Everyone's got a little weird in 'em!

 

[Jenngoofys]

I know some people may think it is weird, However I run a day care and I know boys love to dress up as princess' and some times be the mom in role play. As a matter of fact 2 boys in my care have experimented with painting their nails. One of them just today And guess who was painting their nails for them??? Their Mommys!!! Boys like pretty things too!!

 

[Beehn]

Maybe let him do it at BBB, but take off the dress to walk around the park. Those dresses can be hot and itchy! I wouldn't think anything about seeing a little boy dressed as a princess, but I understand others might.

 

[freepixie]

I work with young children, and no it is not "weird", children are curious and its actually normal for them to show curiousity at this age. If its going to make him happy - I'd say go for it!

Anyone ever see the episode of According to Jim when the little boy wants to be a princess for Halloween and the episode ends with all the men dressed as princesses? I love that episode