My son plays with dolls.

He also dresses up, sometimes in princess costumes.

He has also been seen, at times, playing with a pram, and having a fabulous time.

He equally has a fabulous time playing with his toy lawnmower. Or cars. Or trucks.

Whatever my son wants to play with, as long as it isn't dangerous, I will let him.

As with my daughters. They are free to play with whatever they like. Barbies, dolls, cars, trucks, sand, dirt, hula hoops, anything.

Parents. We have children. They are exploring the world. They are having fun. They are loving finding new and exciting experiences. They are loving being involved in play. And they are loving making up their own little worlds, free from any prejudice.

Do you really want to change that?

Do you really think it is beneficial to tell your son that he shouldn't play with dolls or prams because they are "girl things"?

Do you really think you will achieve great things by telling your daughters they shouldn't play with trucks, diggers and cars?

What are you actually worried about?

Do you think that allowing such behaviour will foster "different" behaviour when the children grow up?

Say it out loud. Do you hear how ridiculous it sounds?

The girls came home the other day and Master 3 said something about wanting purple as his colour. "You can't use that, that's a girl colour" they said.

I interjected. "There are no such things as boy and girl colours. Boys and girls are entitled to use whatever colour they like. And isn't that fabulous? You can each have WHATEVER colours you would like, NO MATTER WHAT!"

And the joy that followed.

Yes, Master 3 ended up choosing red, blue and yellow, and the girls ended up choosing pink and purple, but they knew that if they had have wanted to choose a colour, they could have. And I love that.

I think too much emphasis is placed upon what kids "should" do or like or be or have or whatever.

They are children.

Let children enjoy being children.

Let them explore.

Let them play.

Let them be children.

And what will be will be.

Embrace that. Watch it. And experience the joy of your children.

Don't be the blanket to douse their flames of enthusiasm.

Here endeth the lesson….