Comments on: I know what boys like

By: Scott S.

Scott S. — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 06:41:06 +0000

I took gymnastics for a month or two when I was in grade school. I got fucken RIPPED. Huge muscles and what not, but eventually the stereotype of being a “super fag” got to me and I quit.

Don’t teach them negative sterotypes, please?

By: Amy S.

Amy S. — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 14:57:42 +0000

Yes, girls and boys do have their natural inclinations, but you can’t get too stuck in the stereotypes. My brother took gymnastics for years and was good at it. He was also a great baseball player. Both my daughters loved their dance classes, but my older daughter has dropped it in favor of soccer. This spring will be our 7th season!

By: Shannanb aka Mommy Bits

Shannanb aka Mommy Bits — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 01:12:32 +0000

I had SM in gymnastics when he was 3. I thought it was great for his self esteem and he really became more balanced. His class was actually 4 boys to 3 girls, so pretty even. I know what you mean about the stereotypes. We always got weird looks from people when we would tell them he was taking gymnastics.

Today he’s in soccer, but only because he stopped liking gymnanstics.

By: Nicole

Nicole — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 17:57:21 +0000

Aack, at 2! My kids love gymnastics, and if I could afford the time and $$ I’d sign them both up.
My 4YO has tumbling at preschool and my 5YO plays pick up soccer with dad and some other kids after
school. Honesly I would love to find a dance class, as they love dancing at home, but I suspect both
dad and the boys would balk. We also signed him up for chess cuz he really wanted that, even though
I pushed hard for theater I don’t want to overschedule him, but he’s in after school care anyway
so figure this wasn’t that different. I personally sucked at all sports, but did choose the soccer
route over gymnastics at camp as a teenager, just didn’t seem quite as difficult. The sideline thing
could simply be your kid’s personality, nothing to do with the activity, so I’d give it time. Not to
take up all your comments but my nephew took a tap class, and was one of the few boys and was just
adorable and had a great time.

By: Shannon

Shannon — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 15:25:38 +0000

I think it’s dumb to force it either way. I would have a problem
with somebody who got all worked up because her son was into girly
toys or activities. But I also get annoyed by people who try to force
boys to do girly things, just to prove a point. I guess it’s just easier
to let your kid decide what he likes, and most likely your kid will
bow to social pressure and pick boy-appropriate interests. And honestly,
I think that’s okay. I have bigger problems to worry about. You have
to pick your battles, and to me this just isn’t an important one.

BTW, this does NOT apply to toddler gynastics. Obviously we know the
reasons to sign your kid up for that is to get the kid some exercise, wear
him out so he’ll sleep better, and get you out of the house meeting
other moms.

By: April

April — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 19:48:14 +0000

I haven’t signed my son up for dance, then again he hasn’t asked. And at 3.5 he has just gotten to the point of requesting things he likes or wants to try.

He does however, do tumbling once a week with a good portion of his classmates in preschool. He has a male coach, who he adores and has asked on a playdate more than once… thankfully the coach usually just suggests he call his mommy. But nearly all the little boys in his preschool through kindergarten Montessori class do tumbling and they love it.

Until you mentioned it, I hadn’t even thought of it as a “girl” thing – and I was a gymnast!

By: Emily

Emily — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 19:37:33 +0000

I am a firm believer that if you expose your child to a number of activities and they sway one way, let them! I know it is hard, especially with boys. However, they are drawn to activities for a certain reason. Your son is too young to really know what he loves at this point, but as he gets older, hopefully he will be able to articulate to you what his passions are and I know you will endulge him! I decided to start taking my daughter to a Kindermusik class once a week. We have only been to one, but it was really fun and she loved playing with all the “stuff” the teacher had. Having been a music teacher, I thought, “Is it fair that I am taking her to a music class and not to tumbling or something athletic?” For now, it will have to be because we can’t afford to do both! Maybe in a few months we’ll do something more athletic and see what she has a passion for. She’ll probably love both, like most kids!