Who says boys can't play with dolls?

Dave and I are not scared to let our son play with dolls. We aren't afraid that it will make him soft or effeminate. We don't think it makes him less boyish. We let him play with dolls if he wants as much as he plays with scooters or soccer balls or dirt. In fact, we believe that letting him play with dolls with help him foster his daddy skills as much as letting Willow do so will help her foster mommy skills. Why shouldn't he learn to care for a baby and be tender? He loves to have picnics, feed them, sling them and even nurse his baby. I am happy that he has such a sweet and nurturing side and we both want to foster that, not shame him for that. The idea that boys must act and behave one way and girls another has only perpetuated false stereotypes of who boys and girls should be, and often they have been unhealthy ones. Children should be free to express themselves in whatever way feels natural to them. Dave and I feel that our job is to encourage them in being themselves, fostering those budding personalities and talents and love them unconditionally. We strive to develop strong and healthy attachments now so that we will have strong relationships with them later in life. So if Mason likes to play with dolls, we let him play. It allows him to use his imagination, play creatively and learn to nurture.