PHOTO: Reese Witherspoon, Ryan Phillipe Reunite
25 Funniest Tweets From Parents This Week
'Princess Boy,' 5, Loves Wearing Dresses, Inspires Mom to Publish Anti-Bullying Book
Filed under: In The News, Bullying
"I look at myself in the mirror lately and I see this guy -- in earrings, pillbox hat, veil, maybe a little choker of pearls -- and I ask myself, 'Would a sane man dress like this?'"
-Cpl. Klinger, "MASH"
In the Army, dressing like a Disney princess might help you get a Section 8 discharge as a head case, but Cheryl Kilodavis is a lot less touchy about such things than the military. Her 5-year-old son dolls himself up in pretty pink dresses all the time.
Not that there's anything wrong with that.
In fact, Kilodavis has put together an entire picture book, "My Princess Boy," about how there's nothing wrong with that.
Some 12 years from now, will Dyson, her son, want that book trotted out and shown to his prom date or the guys on the football team? On the website for her book, Kilodavis says she hopes for a better world by then.
She writes that the book "is designed to start and continue a dialog about unconditional friendship and teaches children -- and adults -- how to accept and support children for who they are and how they wish to look."
At first, Dean and Cheryl Kilodavis were uncertain they should let their son sashay about looking like the Sugarplum Fairy. Cheryl Kilodavis tells the Today Show she told her son to knock it off -- in a kind, motherly way.
She explained that boys cannot be princesses.
Her older son, 8-year-old Dkobe, changed her mind.
"Dkobe said to me, 'Why can't you just let him be happy, Mom?' I realized at that moment that this was my issue, not his, and not Dyson's nor Dean's," she tells Today. "After taking a second to do some self-searching, I realized I had years of preconceived notions from my childhood, spiritually and culturally. After journaling, I printed a prototype of my book at a local copy center and used it as a tool to share my feelings. It explained how exclusion hurts and how even a basic level of acceptance can really change lives."
Of course, mothers have a reputation -- perhaps even a stereotype -- of indulging their children's eccentricities. What about Dean Kilodavis? How does he feel about all this?
He thinks it's pretty cool, actually.
"It's not contagious," he tells Today. "He's just like any other kid. He plays checkers, he plays in the trees. He just likes to do it in a dress. Big deal."
It might be a big deal to a bully looking for faces to rearrange. But Cheryl Kilodavis tells the network you can't stop bullies by sacrificing who you are.
"I understand that we all want life to be easy for our children," she tells the network. "I want that, too. But I don't think bullying will stop if my son wears traditional boy clothes. We need a wake-up call. America needs one. The world needs one. We need to start asking ourselves why we are condemning people and things just because they are different and make us feel uncomfortable."
It is the bullies that need to be stopped, she says, not their victims.
"Bullying is taking lives. It is unacceptable. Period," she tells Today. "We must stop standing by while others are being harmed for expressing themselves. Our children are teaching us how to accept them every day. We all want our children to live in a world where they can express themselves without harming anyone else or being harmed."
What does Dyson say about all this?
"I'm a princess boy and I love wearing dresses and I love the colors of pink and red," he tells Today.
Your<span>Voice</span>
Ask Us Anything About Parenting
TheTalkies:RelatedVideos
-
Cheryl Kilodavis Talks About My Princess Boy
Cheryl Kilodavis discusses her book, My Princess Boy, written in honor of her son Dyson, who at a young age fell in love with wearing girls' clothing and costumes.
-
The Last Invisible Boy Book Trailer
Finn Garrett, the last invisible boy, wants to share the story of his life before he disappears completely.
-
Big Boy's Near Death Experience
LA Radio Personality, Big Boy has a larger than life personality that's bigger than his former 500 plus pound, physique. And in his new book, “An XL Life: Staying Big at Half the Size” he talks about his both his journey in his professional career and his battle and victory over obesity. We spoke with Big about the book and the celebrity that got him on the path to living a healthier life.
-
BGT: Only Boys Aloud Tell Us How They Warm Their Voices Up
Only Boys Aloud reveal how they warm up their voices, after they booked a place in the Britain's Got Talent final. .
SitesWeLove
- Site Map
- |
- Staff
- |
- Terms of Service
- |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Trademarks
- |
- Advertise With Us
- |
- About Our Ads
- |
- AOL Downloads
- |
- Contact Us
- |
© Copyright 2012 AOL Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Aol Family
ReaderComments (Page 1 of 42)
1-03-2011 @ 2:31PM
Lynn said...Better than teaching him to be an intolerant jerk! Do the children of the world a favor. Never have any.
1-03-2011 @ 3:10PM
Zmg88 said...This is probably something he’s going to grow out of. I wouldn’t make such a big deal over this. He’s five for crying out loud.
Reply
1-03-2011 @ 3:18PM
Darla said...I think his brother is right! hTtp://www.childrenshealthsecrets.com Just let him be happy.
1-03-2011 @ 3:40PM
Mike said...I hope you're right, but all the attention he's getting for it is reinforcing the notion that this is part of his fundamental identity. I think he's probably being denied the chance to grow out of it.
1-03-2011 @ 3:51PM
crystalloper said...I run a daycare in my home, A LOT of boys want to wear, and do wear the fluffy,tutu's and cheerleaders skirts to spin around in, they tap dance, if they see someone catch them they get embarassed and take it off, but it is fun... they know it is silly and don't want others to see them (age 3 to 5) once they get bigger and learn the difference between boys and girls they usually go towards super hero stuff with muscles. pink, purple and orange are favorite colors for boys GREEN is my quiet boys fav. Even some Big boys explore girls clothes just being silly... have you seen the football players dress as cheerleaders? NOT a news entry thing or else i could have had 10 or more kids on the news...let me know in 15 yrs if this kid turns gay lol
1-03-2011 @ 4:05PM
Terry said...scary. where did he learn this from?? Nice job fathering Dean. I guess NO ONE wears the pants in that family! lol Dad is most likely scared to death of mom; she probably wanted a girl and now she's getting her chance! 100-1 she doesn't support his behavior but ENCOURAGES it...BIG difference
1-03-2011 @ 4:05PM
Janice said...I don't see anything wrong with it, either. My son is 2, and he loves wearing his older sister's princess shoes, tiara, purses and bracelets. I don't believe in boy vs girl toys, so if he wants to play dress-up or my daughter wants to play with matchbox cars, big deal! As long as they are not harming themselves or others, let them play!
1-03-2011 @ 4:01PM
seandara1 said...This is a sick kid with an even sicker mother. He'll do great in school i'm sure..
1-03-2011 @ 4:48PM
Barry said...That's what great mom does and gives ,,,,,,,,,, true love!
1-03-2011 @ 5:03PM
Alicia said...Agreed. He probably will grow out of it. Hell, I'm a girl and I grew out of my princess phase. If he doesn't, he'll face difficulties, but hopefully he'll continue to have the love and support of his family and there are certainly just as many people out there willing to look past one's clothes to see the god in people and may he find many friends among them.
1-03-2011 @ 5:15PM
Matt said...Its good that she wants her kid to be happy but she cant complain when he gets bullied if she sends him to school like that. Not condoning it but thats what would happen.
1-03-2011 @ 5:52PM
ladyd202 said...Lets face it . The mother is in denial, the child is gay and is showing the signs at an early age, so let him be who he is and support who he wants to be.Acknowledge it and start helping him to deal with a girl trapped in a boys body and everyone will be fine.
He is not the first one and he wont be the last one either.
1-03-2011 @ 6:31PM
Og_smoove said...i disagree with u 100% becuase its the parents fault i bet he lives in a house with a bunch a women and there letting him feel that stuff like that is ok and its not AND THE WORST PART ABOUT IT SHE PUT THIS ON THE WEB AND HAD THE NERVE TO HAVE HIM WHERE A FAIRY SUIT COME ON THATS A BOY WHEN HE GETS OLDER WHAT U THINK IS GOING TO HAPPEN.. FIRST ITS THE FAIRY SUIT ...THEN WATS NEXT I FEEL SORRY FOR THE KID HIS PARENT NEED TO MAN HIM UP QUICK BECAUSE NOW ADAYS KIDS LEARN ABOUT THINGS TO QUICKLY
1-03-2011 @ 6:35PM
Mom of 7 said...First off most of you are just ignorant....A person doesn't turn gay they are born this way....Just because a male child likes to play with things that are considered female toys does NOT mean anything. I have two brother one gay one straight. They grew up extremely close and still are. They played all the same things and with all the same people. So grow up people let this child be who he born to be, you are supposed to be adults. Act like it
1-05-2011 @ 1:32PM
B. Mayne said...This is an Ignorant...........comment by this responder ! He is NOT going to "Grow out of it" ! I have heard and seen many Children and young people that have had experiences and reported Knowing that they never felt comfortable with their assigned "gender" .
Yes, He's five for crying out loud but I would bet big $$ that he will not grow out of it. Please don't try to change hime, People.
Congrats to his Parents. Now let's hope he dosen't cross paths with some extremely fearful Homophobe that tries to Ruin his spirit.
1-03-2011 @ 6:44PM
Amy said...Hooray Mom and Dad!! You are so wonderful and even more awesome for letting the world know!!! I think more parents should sit up and listen to their kids!! Great Job!!!
1-03-2011 @ 7:24PM
devious711 said...the kid probobly has no positive male role model in his life
1-03-2011 @ 7:57PM
Nico Toscani said...Sorry, but I wouldn't allow my son to be a "princess boy". If he's gay, then he'll just have to wait until he's a teenager to come out.
1-03-2011 @ 7:59PM
Allysin said...He may be 5 years old. But it is the early signs that he is recognizing of having a more feminine side. It may lay dormant at some time in his youth, but it will resurface. Let him grow into a femine role, it is obvious he is harboring more female hormones. I know It started out for me around the age of 4 /5 years of age. I am now 46 years of age and I am completing what nature intended for me to be, a female.
1-03-2011 @ 9:39PM
Nancy said...I too have a granson that likes princess things...dresses to dolls and I see no need to try and deny it..I too believe he will out grow it. He has been into it since age 2 and is 4 now and in pre-K..he too likes some "boy" things but really likes princesses and it changes with each new princess or female in a movie or show...another reason I feel he will change as he grows.