Hi Mommies, My 5 y.o. DS loves the Disney Fairy Tales , especially Snow White, Ariel the Mermaid, and now, maybe Beauty and the Beast. He likes Cars alright and hasn't shown too much interest in stories like Jungle Book or Lion King. My DH and I aren't worried about this in the least! We have always been pretty easy going in the gender department. He loves TRIO blocks and music and firefighters and Mobigo, so there's plenty of boy stuff there, anyway.
But, I guess that I am starting to get a little worried about when he might be teased about it at school. He already keeps to himself with kids quite a bit. He has an expressive language delay, so we work very hard with SLP's and OT's to develop him there and it's coming along SO NICELY. But, playing with firends is a real challenge, and I don't want this to be another road block for him. I was actually thinking about taking him to The Beauty and Te Beast movie in January when it releases. But am I setting him up for teasing at this age or are we still good here, do you think? IT just seems that most boys his age are doing super hero stuff and policeman stuff etc.
Just curious as to opinions...
Kids tease...big deal. Let him pick some movies and expose him to a couple of different movies. Eventually he will let you know what he absolutely dislikes.
My daughter was teased a bit for her Yo Gabba Gabba Vans in kindergarten. We just said so and she was over it.
Teach him to say , "So what?" He might get teased, or some kid might find his shoes weird or his name or his hair...there are so many possible things to worry about. Teach him to be confident in his choices and take him to a movie he will like. If you have any friends with sons who might also enjoy the movie, ask them to come, too, and make a day of it.
If my daughter can play with remote controlled cars and dinosaurs, your son can watch Beauty and the Beast (one of my favorite Disney movies).
I guess I'm also not too worried because my 20 yr old cousin grew up as the only boy in a sea of girls and is going to school for nursing. He's a terrific guy, very athletic, girls love him because he's sensitive and kind. Maybe your son will be that way, too.
My nephew is the same age as my older daughter (they are both 9 now). He is in Pop Warner football, the little girls are already chasing him... he is quite the ladies' man, already.
Anyway, when he was 5, we had Christmas at our house. He went to my daughter's room and they were playing in there for a long time while all the adults sat and visited in the living room. Well, out come the kiddos all decked out in Princess regalia - gowns, crowns, wands, feather boas, high heels. And my nephew says, "LOOK AT ME! I'M A PRINCESS!" You can only imagine the laughter and hysterics that ensued. It was so cute and funny. Anyway, we remind him of it to this day (see what nice relatives we are, harassing him like this?). His response? "Well you have to admit, I looked pretty cute!"
Let him love the princesses - it's a sign he will be wildly popular with the girls later on, if our experience is any indicator. ;)
He probably likes the Princess characters because they are the smartest and usually the Hero's of the movie. I would rather he like Belle better than Gaston in Beauty and the Beast,. Gaston is a bully and a braggart.
Beauty is smart, brave and caring for those around her.
I agree to teach him to be proud of what he likes and to tell people that tease him, "so what?".
My nephew is the Quarterback on his high school football team and I still remember him singing Princess songs and wanting his toes polished as a young boy.. No one had to encourage him to be anything.. He is his own person.
My daughters prefer sub-titled Chinese and oriental martial arts films and would prefer Jackie Chan over Beauty and the Beast any day. However they can sit through all the Disney princess movies as well. I am more worried they will do a flying ninja kick at school, rather than be girl enough. I Like AV suggestion of teaching him to say "who cares" or "whats the big deal" every kid has their quirk.
Two of my sons are 7 & 5, and they also enjoy the "princess" movies. They also like the super hero movies, star wars, etc. As far as I know they don't get teased at school. In fact, in kindergarten they usually do a fairy tale unit, which all the kids love. Remember, for every princess, there is a prince or knight! These stories are appealing to kids because there's a clear good vs bad plot, reassuring them that good always triumphs! My boys went with their grandma to a live performance of Annie this last summer and loved it. Take your son to Beauty & the Beast and enjoy yourselves!
Is he in Kindergarten yet or still preschool? If he's in preschool then yeah, I'd take him to the movie and not worry about it at all. If he's in K, well I'd still probably take him if he wants to go, but yeah, I hear you about the teasing thing. It's a fine line, trying to get your child to express himself but also shelter him from the harsh realities of life, and the reality is he might (now, later, some day?) get teased for these things. Geesh. I guess I don't really have advice, but if it were my kid, I think I'd do it and then deal with the teasing if and when it comes.
my ds was still kind of into that at age 5 but at 8 has mostly started to like what the other boys like.
I don't think it would be that big of a deal but maybe emphasize the beast part of it if you wanted to start steering him in that direction. really not too big of a deal,
