G told us yesterday that this week an organization came to his school and separated activities into boys/girls. When he walked by someone to take his card for where he was supposed to go, the person handing it to him said, "Here you go, young lady."
G said he just kept walking with his head down.
He didn't correct the person.
He said it really didn't embarrass him (either he is so used to it that it doesn't bother him anymore or we are helping him be a well-adjusted person who has a positive self-image--I vote for a little of both).
D and I encouraged him to speak up in the future, to say politely and calmly,
"I am a boy with long hair."
We told him that by doing so, he will gently bring people's attention to their lack of observation and their gender tagging.
We told him that by doing so, he will be helping other kids, be they boys with long hair or girls with short hair, who may feel VERY embarrassed when similar things happen to them.
G said to me, "I'm really glad you wrote that blog, mom."
I don't often feel like I'm winning as a mom, until moments like this when I do.
G said he just kept walking with his head down.
He didn't correct the person.
He said it really didn't embarrass him (either he is so used to it that it doesn't bother him anymore or we are helping him be a well-adjusted person who has a positive self-image--I vote for a little of both).
D and I encouraged him to speak up in the future, to say politely and calmly,
"I am a boy with long hair."
We told him that by doing so, he will gently bring people's attention to their lack of observation and their gender tagging.
We told him that by doing so, he will be helping other kids, be they boys with long hair or girls with short hair, who may feel VERY embarrassed when similar things happen to them.
G said to me, "I'm really glad you wrote that blog, mom."
I don't often feel like I'm winning as a mom, until moments like this when I do.
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