Can my son play with dolls and stuffed toys.

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Hi, I'm new to this site and I don't know if I am asking this question in the right thread. My son is 25 months old and loves to play with stuffed toys and dolls.. He has names for each of them like julie the dog, lambert the lion etc. He makes them sleep,pretends to feed them , takes them for a ride on his toy car and all. My mom in law says that he does that because he has got a "feminine streak" in him. Now i am getting freaked out wondering if he really has got a "feminine streak" in him. Off course he plays with his spider man, elmo, toy cars ,balls,guns and other "manly toys".
I'd like to think that this kid has got a colorful imgination. Can someone please tell me if my son has got that "feminine streak" in him.
Anju

Hi Anju,
Soft toys and dolls are for girls AND boys. There's nothing wrong with your son playing with them and making up stories etc. with them. Dont bother abt what your MIL says and encourage your son to play with whatever toys he wants. Like you said this kind of 'pretend play' is great for building imagination and language skills and will only make him a smarter individual.

Vanathi.

Hey Anju,

Don't worry. Each and every child differs. The attitude towards playing, talking it all depends. But nothing to worry on this. He must be fond of soft toys because of the color, material and whatever might be the case. So it is nothing to do as you MIL told.

Make him feel comfortable in the way he is. This is my opinion. My wishes to your kid.

dear anju

there is nothing to worry abt ur son playing with stuffed dolls n toys...they r just small children and all our children play a lot imagining things..infact my daughter is always on the phone talking in her imaginary world with everybody.....dun worry...

lov
sowmi

Dont worry abt it, it is very natural for kids of this age to play with stuffed toys, only as they grow older and seeing other boys playing with cars they will learn.
even my son ( 2 1/2 yrs)and other kids in his preschool play cooking food, they imagine and play pretend, first i was also worried like you as he would always play with cups and spoons and always play cooking and serving, even one of my friend commented that he is playing like girls. which bothered me, but in his school they all pretended to cook diff food and celebrate birthday party which sounded like fun and he had a great time. he imagines lots of things and i think that is really good. they need to imagine and be creative.

Dear all,
Thank you so much for your replies. You guys have given me the confidence to explain to my MIL that my son is quite normal.
Anju