Would you let your 5 yr old daughter dress like a boy?

Question

She can be a very girly girl most times, but she has an older brother that's 7 yrs old that likes her to dress like a boy. Sometimes I don't let her because I think she's only doing it for her brother, but sometimes she really wants to do it. It's not a problem at home, but when we go out in public it's weird. She has medium long red hair & I just hope people don't just think she's really a boy w/ hair that long. lol. Would you let your daughter dress in boy clothes outside?

Answer 1

This really isn't about how your daughter wants to dress.  This is your concern about what other people think.  

I believe you have the ability to loOK questioners right in the eye and say, in your most offended tone, "Excuse me?"

This is an important lesson to teach your daughter.  If she doesn't learn that it's ok to be herself, she will grow up to be a people-pleaser.  And that's a mighty awful way to live.

Answer 2

You can call a psychologist and schedule an appointment...pay some money...and find out the same thing your psychologist friend here will tell you. There is nothing wrong with allowing your daughter to dress the way she is comfortable. If you are concerned with her being a "L*****n" then nothing you do will stop it. Forcing her to dress a certain way will not determine her sexuality. She is likely experimenting and trying to find her own sense of expression. As long as she is not dressing in a way that could cause her harm or place her in danger (for example, dressing like a prostitute) then she will be fine.

Answer 3

Yes, I would.

That is the right age when boys and girls experiment with the unknown. Let them experiment and don't act like it is something bad or ridiculous. Let the child do so and get it out of her system.

We psychological hurt children when we tell them that "it is bad", when we "act awful" to it, when we "prohibit" them to do so. Then they'll grow up with that mentality, that is a bad thing.

Don't hide or have the child be embarrassed, let her do it in front of you and your husband and "act normal" to it, as if a fly went by...  

Then in a little while you'll see it's over.

Answer 4

I don't see the harm in letting her dress "like a boy". I did when I was younger and I turned out fine. If your really concerened call a psycologist they should be able to anwser any other question you have

Answer 5

yes i would. im 13 and i shop in the guy section. and i have two brothers but i dont really look up to them that much. i just like guy clothes better. maybe she just likes bigger and baggy clothes and i dont think there are alot of girl clothes for 5 yr olds that are really baggy and and big like that. it doesnt mean anything if she dresses in guy clothes. like someone said before let her hair grow longer and put girly clips in it or put a girly necklace or bracelet on her. maybe u can get her ears pierced and buy her girl earrings. but yea. i dress in mostly guy shirts. and i wear baggy pants but i still wear girly bracelets necklaces and earrings.

Answer 6

Why not!?. It is more practical for for play and no big deal -even if she does it for her brother. In that case you should celebrate their close relationship - it's sweet!.

I would more concerned if my 5 yr old boy wanted to dress as a girl!

You could always add girlie hair tyes and clips or a pink hat to spell out that she is a girl!

Hope this is not worrying you too much. I was a tomboy until about 15 and then wanted to waer makeup and dresses. All is cool.

Answer 7

she is 5. don't stress about it. She just wants to be like her big brother. She will grow out of it. When people ask why just tell them "because she wants to"

Answer 8

Yes I would allow my 5 year old to dress like a boy.  I would allow my 15 year old to dress like a boy.  The problem isn't with the child in this instance it's with the parent.  You obviously have issues about accepting your child's personallity the way it is, no doubt you tend to think her personallity is a reflection of you...it's not, she isn't you, she is her own individual self and there is nothing wrong with her being herself no matter what she wears.  Stop worrying about what other's think, if "others" aren't paying your bills and buying the clothes then what they think doesn't matter.

Answer 9

No, I would not unless that is all I had..

reason being.. I had/have a bro only 16 months older.. I always wanted to impress him.. and people did the same thing... to my parents..and it embarrassed me.( how yal boys doing? they would ask.... )

. but I looked up to my bro.. played truck, cops and robbers.. the whole smear..

I was really NOT my own person.. and was lost in school trying to figure out who I was..

so .... if she wants jeans.. they can be girly.. or shirts too can have writing, but girly talk on them..

she needs to understand there is a difference and u act and dress different.. as I got older..

I thought I was tough but in reality not so.. but it did make me become very independent, self supporting.. I was close to my dad as well.. I have always favored males or females, I just get along better.. so perhaps.... she will be the same.. but when u finally put a stop to it.. it will be  very confusing as it was with me..  he dated sooner being a boy.. he drove before me, my parents didn't want me to get into so called trouble --- back then,, if u get my drift..?

Little girls don't spread their legs so men can see Ur panties..  and his helps when they are teens, and young ladies..

so u make Ur own call on this one.. it all depends on morality,  character... and the up bring u want her to have..

I no Ur a good mom.. raising kids does not come with a manual.. good luck

Answer 10

I would let her dress in whatever she was most comfortable in. My second oldest who is now 11 doesn't dress very girly as she is more of a tomboy and always has been. But people still know she is a girl. But she is more comfortable in pants and shirts instead of skirts and dresses. I have tried to get her to wear a dress for a family photo and the minute she got home she got changed out of it. What you might be able to do is buy the clothes she likes, such as shorts or whatever and get her to pick out more girly colours. I find if they have an input in what they wear like that it helps them to understand it's ok to wear that sort of thing but just to girl it up a little with maybe a little colour.  :) Good luck.

Answer 11

What do you mean by "dress like a boy"? I'm looking at my own little boys and all they have on is tshirts and jeans. I can't think of any boy attire that should present a problem????? Not every little girl needs glitter and ruffles! And honestly it's a blessing, my d.d prefers skirts and dresses almost exclusively and it's a struggle to find age appropriate skirts that don't show off what she hasn't developed yet. She isn't even being mistaken for a boy so I think you may be over analyzing this a bit. Now if it were your son imitating his sister..... but you DD will turn out to be just fine no harm done!

EDITED TO ADD:: Have you tried some of the more feminine versions of the boys clothes? (pink football jerseys or jeans with rhinestone skulls?) She might be just as happy in those!

Answer 12

i would i went through a phase like this only it was my cousin not a brother don`t worry one day she will out grow this

Answer 13

let her be who she wants to be talk to her about it with out big bro there! its normal to look up to you sibling ! You can also compromise with her go shopping for girly boy stuff like pink hats and things like that boy jeans and shirts with a bow in her hair or a pink baseball cap they have lots of cute girly boy stuff

Answer 14

My sister has a daughter and at that age, she would dress as a boy, and play with boy things. She even wanted to go as far as cutting her long curly hair and said she thought she was a boy. I personally wouldn't do it because I want a girly daughter, but that doesn't bother my sister since she already has a girly girl, and now she has the ultimate tomboy. I don't seem the harm... I was kinda the same way when I was a kid. It's what makes the kid happy, right.

Answer 15

Theres nothing wrong with that. Just let her dress how she wants to.

Shes your daughter, accept the way she wants to dress sometimes

Answer 16

To keep it short and sweet: choose your battles wisely. Letting your kid dress the way she wants is harmless and lets her develop some self esteem and expression. When she's a teen and wants to pierce her face, you can object, but for now don't sweat it.

Answer 17

seems to me like you're overthinking this a bit.  boy clothes, at this age, really are just girl clothes without the glitter.  :)  

this isn't anything that i would worry about.  even if she was a teenager i wouldn't worry about it.

Answer 18

Hi, Sweetie!

Yes. Absolutely. IF she wants to dress that way...

I did. I do.  (Think of the cut-back in small people's clothing maintainence... no ruffles!) Waahoo!

I wear Levi's. I always have. I expect too, always.

Very few people will be "confused" by your daughter's apparel.

If she's happy, and you're okay with it... who cares?}:>

Answer 19

I think that that is perfectly fine... just keep an eye on her, but let her do her thing. She is just having fun and dressing up. If you are really worried about how people will perceive her, let her wear a necklace or a bracelet and let her hair grow a bit longer, or do it in hairdos with little clips and scrunchies.

XoxO

Megan

Answer 20

Lots of girls are like that but by grade 7 they are normal girls.