My Princess Boy by Cheryl Kilodavis

Hey there! It’s Cath from Sex Ed Rescue, and I want to chat with you about a book called My Princess Boy. So, this book by Cheryl Kilodavis has been around for a while, since 2010 to be exact. It’s a story about a young boy who loves dressing up as a girl.

Now, this was one of the first books to touch on the topic of transgender, although it doesn’t explicitly label it as such. It’s open to discussion and can be used to talk about how it’s perfectly okay for boys to dress up as girls, whether it’s for role-playing at home or just having fun. We don’t have to stick to gender stereotypes, right?

But here’s the thing, sometimes when kids realize it’s okay to dress up as a princess at home, they worry about what their friends at school might say. It can be tough when others tease or pick on them. That’s where this book comes in handy. You can use it to explain gender and help your child understand that it’s okay for someone in their class to express themselves differently.

I actually read this book to my son last night. It starts off by introducing a four-year-old boy who loves pretty things and the color pink. He enjoys dressing up as a princess, and you know what? His brother and dad think it’s pretty cool too. When he goes shopping, he’s happiest looking at girl stuff and buying girl things. But sometimes people stare and make them feel uncomfortable, which can be hurtful.

The book also talks about how he wore a dress at his birthday party and called himself a princess boy. He had a blast and looked pretty. There are other instances where he dresses up as a prince or princess for Halloween, and some people laugh at him. It’s a great opportunity to discuss societal expectations and how we can be more accepting.

Now, I have to admit, this book can be a bit tricky to read at times. It talks about being a princess boy and then throws in the idea that we shouldn’t laugh at a princess boy if they come to our school. It can get a little confusing, but that’s where you can step in and have a conversation with your child to clarify things.

The book asks some questions towards the end, but personally, I think it would have been better to start with those questions. That way, you can have a discussion and then explore the if statements together. For example, if you see a princess boy, would you laugh at him? It’s a chance to teach empathy and kindness.

I actually did this exercise with my seven-year-old, and he initially said he would laugh. But after talking about how it might make the princess boy feel, he realized it wasn’t very nice. We also discussed what it means to accept someone for who they are, even if they dress differently. It was an eye-opening conversation, let me tell you!

The book concludes by emphasizing that our princess boy is happy because we love and accept him for who he is. And that’s what the research tells us too. Kids who are true to themselves and express their gender identity are much happier, even if they face challenges like bullying or being ostracized. It’s important to support them.

Now, I don’t want to get too deep and philosophical about interpreting books. This one might not be my personal favorite, and I wouldn’t rush out to buy it. But it can definitely be a useful tool for starting conversations about gender. I’d suggest borrowing it from the library, reading it a couple of times, and having some meaningful discussions. And remember, there are plenty of other great books out there too!

So, don’t worry if this book doesn’t resonate with you as much. It’s just one of many resources available. Keep exploring and finding what works best for you and your child. You’re doing great!