It doesn't always feel like it, peeps, but we ARE lucky to be alive right now. Here's proof:
Stephanie V. writes:
I have a 5 year-old son who loves hockey, soccer, The Ninja Turtles, Star Wars, and Ariel. Yes, Ariel – The Little Mermaid. Like, LOVES her. I have bought him Ariel socks, an Ariel doll, and for his birthday this month, an Ariel blanket for his bed. He drags it all over the house and it’s his new lovey. I’ve let him pick out Disney Princess toothpaste at the grocery store as that’s what he wanted.
When I asked Brodie a few months ago what he wanted his birthday party theme to be, he said “Ariel!” And he wanted Ariel to come to his party. For a little bit, I pondered all that and thought I could do an “Under the Sea” type theme with a little bit of Ariel mixed in, so it’s not quite so obvious.
Fast-forward to more party planning and I’ve decided we’re not going to scrimp on the Ariel decorations. He LOVES her and this is what he wants! So we are sending out invitations with pictures of Ariel, Flounder, Sebastian, and King Triton on them, and we are having an Ariel party for my 5 year-old son. Ariel will deliver his cake to him personally toward the end of the party. And he will be the HAPPIEST little boy on the planet on that day. To me, that’s what counts.
By the time I replied to Stephanie's e-mail the party had already happened, so of COURSE I begged for pics. Then, after a little more begging, I got permission to share them with all of you.
PREPARE FOR HAPPY FEELZ.
First, here's Brodie with his older brother in their Little Mermaid t-shirts:
Here's Ariel leading the kids in a little dance party:
(Look at Brodie's face. LOOK AT IT. That is all. [sniffle])
Story time:
And my favorite: Brodie's one-on-one with his favorite princess:
MY HEART.
Thank you, Stephanie, for being one of the good ones. Thank you for reminding us it's not only OK to love what you love, it's OK for everyone else to, too. Thank you for spreading hope and joy and love and pixie dust, just when some of us need it most.
And Brodie, I think I speak for everyone here when I say HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY, little man! Please don't ever stop being you!
I went from "I can't *see* his face in that one!" to tears in my eyes at the one-on-one picture. That is fantastic.
ReplyDeleteI'm crying. Love that Stephanie supported her son's love of Ariel and gave him a birthday to remember. My little bit still talks about the time he met Tinkerbell and got his picture with her. Thank you for giving me hope at a time I needed it most.
ReplyDeleteIts got all dusty in here suddenly...that or onions...
ReplyDeleteIt must be Princess Dust in my eyes. Kids. They are only little once. Let them be kids and love who they love. Thanks to Stephanie for letting you share this wonderful story!
ReplyDeleteDarn, those onions again!
ReplyDeleteI love this story so much. It reminds me of when my son was little, he was in love with Sailor Moon. He could watch it all day long. When we went shopping one day he got a Sailor Moon ball. My first thought was to talk him out of it (it was not only Sailor moon but bright pink). I did not want little boys in the park to make fun of him or tease him for liking Sailor Moon, luckily I remembered it was ME who bought him his first doll, and his first kitchen cooking set. So we got the ball and he carried it around and played with it like it was the best ball in the world and it WAS. No one teased him, the kids at the park joined in and everyone had fun.
ReplyDeleteA couple of years later when we had a slumber party with a friend of mine my son decided he wanted to wear a nighty too, and paint his nails. To this day he STILL paints his nails, he has more nail polish then I do and we are going for our first pedicure together next month.
My boy turned out to be a fine young man and I could not be prouder. I am glad I remembered not to put societies thoughts and feelings about what boys for play with, wear or do onto him because if I had I would have stifled the amazing person he was going to become.
Good for Stephanie for supporting her son instead of caving to the pressures of society.
This is awesome. Why is my whole damn face wet??
ReplyDeleteI do have to ask, though - WHERE IS THE CAKE?!
Ugh. Can't stop crying. I've been teaching reading classes to kindergarteners this summer, and I'm amazed at how many parents won't let their boys like dolls and princesses or let their daughters like sports and trucks. It's unbelievable. So, thank you Stephanie for letting your son be happy on his birthday.
ReplyDeleteOy. Tears rolling down my face. What a great mom!
ReplyDeleteWhy is it raining inside?
ReplyDeleteOkay, who let the onion cutting ninjas in my office? dang it.
ReplyDeleteyes yes yes!! There's reason to hope. It's the kids of the world, nurtured like this, encouraged to love who and what they love like this, who are going save us all. Thank you for sharing this with us, Jen, and thank you Stephanie and Brodie for being awesome.
ReplyDeleteEvery little girl in that room has the "Brodie is the coolest kid I know" look on their face. :D I love it!
ReplyDeleteThis means my Optimus Prime at my 12th party was OK. It wasn't a full on party, I knew my parents wouldn't go for that, but I did get a HUGE toy!
I also had an Optimus Prime when I was 8! :) My parents had a Transformers party and a hockey cake, because that is what I wanted! :) My parents rocked (and still do!)
DeleteWe are doing a mermaid themed party for my soon to be 4 year old son. He loves all things mermaid and princess. He loves pink and sparkly things so much so that when he picked out his new shoes...he got light-up, pink and sequenced Rapunzel shoes.
ReplyDeleteMy niece loves sharks. They are her favorite thing in the world, and she was so excited to see them feeding at the aquarium, and she watches any nature show with them. My sister in law made her a shark costume, with a tutu, for Halloween so she could be a girl shark. I love seeing kids enjoying what they love without people telling them they shouldn't!
ReplyDeleteI love that! "A girl shark"! I want pictures of the cute kid in the shark costume with a tutu, now!
Deletethis shouldn't be such a big deal, but I guess it is. Good on this mom for letting her kid celebrate the way he wants! His happy face is adorable!
ReplyDeleteThat's really cool. When my niece turned five, we had a Darth Vader/Elsa party for her, as she loved both. And Darth Vader and Elsa both came to her party! The kids loved it! How many kids get to play tug of war with Darth Vader and throw snow with Elsa on the same day!
ReplyDeleteGood on ya! That kids is adorable and lucky to have you as a Mom!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing a good feelie. :D Happy birthday, Brodie!
ReplyDeleteI am so so sooooo happy that Brodie has such a supportive mom. My 5 year old nephew is an Elsa fanatic, and he's not so fortunate in the parent department. While his own parents and brothers try to shame him, my mom and I are 100% in his corner. He requested Elsa birthday cakes the past 2 years and I made it happen for him, much to his family's chagrin. Last week I took him to DCA to see the new Frozen musical and he got to meet Elsa and Anna. I cannot describe the joy this child experienced that day. He was beaming the entire time. I wish more people could focus on THAT rather than the gender conforming nonsense. Let's all make the world as joyful as possible for the kids in our lives!
ReplyDeleteJen, thank you for being a cool aunt! I'm sure those are the memories your nephew will remember most fondly as he grows up!
DeleteSo much awesome! <3
ReplyDeleteThis is so sweet. We definitely need more parents like Stephanie. Let kids express their loves and learn that being yourself is perfectly okay. Thanks so much for sharing their story. It's awesome.
ReplyDeleteMy son who will be 3 in a couple of months LOVES Scarlet Overkill (the villain in The Minions movie). Like, LOVES her. When he stayed with my parents for a week, he wore one of my mom's red tank tops as a dress so he could BE Scarlet Overkill for several days in a row. I was thinking of making him a Scarlet dress for his birthday as a dress-up costume, but I started worrying about what my dad would think (he wasn't thrilled with the Scarlet dress-up or the fact that my son chose the pink and purple princess goldfish crackers at the store) or what my friends might think. But you know what? I don't care! Thanks, Brodie and Brodie's mama! I will make him that dress and he will be THRILLED.
ReplyDeleteI've always been a 'tomboy', more so when I was little. I didn't like dresses or Barbies. I played with my brother's GI Joes and He-man figures. I don't recall ever being told I could not have GI Joes of my own, so I'm not sure if it didn't occur to me that a girl could ask for those toys, or if I just got whatever else was on my list instead.
ReplyDeleteBrodie's little face made my day. I was glad to see other little boys attending, too.
-Just Andrea
We noticed when our now 20-something sons were in elementary school, that they had friends of the opposite sex. That wasn't the case when I was in grade school. My oldest son was invited to his friend's bridal shower, and at her request and because he was her oldest friend, he acted as her bridesmaid. (He wore a suit.)
ReplyDeleteGender-creative, gender-non-conforming, or as I tend to call it, gender-relaxed; doesn't matter what you like as long as you have something to be passionate about. Kids like Brodie will grow up healthier and just as male with an Ariel party in their backgrounds as they would without one.
What a great mom, for planning the party she knew her kid wanted, not the one that would have been more "acceptable". It's a shame this isn't the norm. I'm so happy she shared the pics, so we could see what a great time Brodie was having.
ReplyDeleteAwesome! I am a girl and my 4th birthday party was Spider-Man themed, and 8 months later I was Spider-Man for Halloween. My mom really wanted me to have a doll cake or be a puppy for Halloween, but she supported my choices and that is the party and Halloween I remember best, lo these 40 years later. My youngest son was a huge Mulan fan and sang "Why can't I be the girl I see" song repeatedly when he was younger and dressed up in girl clothes every chance he got. My husband and I never commented or let anyone else make him feel embarrassed and he is now a happy, mostly polite, well adjusted young man. I wish everyone would get over stuff that doesn't matter and let people be who they are. You go Brodie, you are a lucky boy with a momma who obviously loves you very much!!!
ReplyDeleteThis is fantastic! Everyone, especially kids, should be able and allowed to do (and wear!) what the think is fun. Not be limited by what some "adults" think is "right" and "normal". You go Brodie and Stephanie! <3
ReplyDelete#parentinggoals right there. good job that family. x
ReplyDeleteAAAAALLLLLLL the feels. All. Of. Them.
ReplyDeletehappy birthday, brodie!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Brodie, and Stephanie, and Jen, and everybody in the comments for sharing your pursuits of happiness for yourselves and others! What a great pick-me-up <3
ReplyDeleteJen and John, I LOVE the new Fans of Epbot FB page, but I thought you might want to make a decision about pictures being posted of you. You are both relatively private and rarely post photographs, so it concerns me a little bit that everyone is posting their "Here I am with John and Jen" pictures. If you're not comfortable with so many pictures being posted in a public FB group, maybe let someone know? If you don't mind, then no worries!
ReplyDeleteLove this! I can't wait to see what my boy and girl come up with. So far, my boy wants a rainbow cake for his b-day this year (turning 4). I'm all over it.
ReplyDeleteMy youngest brother wanted The pretty pretty princess game for his 3rd or 4th b-day. I can still see him, his two best friends and my dad all sitting on the living room floor playing it.
I rarely comment but I feel like I have to say something here.
ReplyDeleteIn some ways, equality for women has made bounds - wearing pants, becoming CEOs, and the like. It's now a lot more acceptable for women/girls to like traditionally "boy" things and do traditional "boy" jobs. That's great. But there's still a long way to go, and it's not in an area a lot of people think about when they think of equal rights for women. It's that we still need to make girl things OK, too.
We need to stop looking down on traditional girl things as inferior. It's OK for girls to like "girl" things; "girly-girl" should NOT be an insult. And it's OK for BOYS to like "girl" things, too. Currently, boys are still often discouraged from anything traditionally female-related. Girls can wear shorts and have super hero dolls but heaven forbid if little boys want to wear pink and play with Barbies.
Everyone should be allowed to like what they like and not be ridiculed, and I think that will only come when not just men/women are equal but anything traditionally gender-specific is also equal. So, Stephanie and Brodie, you guys rock. And all of the positive and supportive comments here? This is how we're going to get there.
Maybe one day, this won't be news. One day, nobody will look twice at a little boy running around in a tutu and tiara (or whatever he wants) because it will be so normal as to be completely un-noteworthy.
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ReplyDeleteWhy are people so obsessed with boys liking traditionally girl things? Why is that so important? Why is the cause for celebration? I would bet when this young lad grows up he will ask to never mention his 5th birthday.
ReplyDeleteI sent this story to Jen as little bit of an opposite view of girls being empowered to do "boy" things. I see girls' shirts that have Ninja Turtles and Star Wars, etc. on them but there are no boy Ariel shirts. It was simply to share a story and to hopefully bring a smile to her face - and an excuse for me to contact a writer I admire. I made a decision as a mom to not worry if other parents thought a princess party for a boy would be weird or inappropriate. If he never wants it mentioned again then I won't. But hopefully he'll be well-adjusted enough to have a very fond memory of having the perfect party that he wanted that year - and I imagine it will make him laugh, as well, when he's older. - Stephanie
DeleteThank you all so much for your sweet comments - it has warmed my heart for sure. :-)
ReplyDeleteI found a new-to-me song this afternoon that is *so* much in line with this story: "Everything Possible", by Fred Small. It looks like it's been adopted by the LGBT community, but I think it's something every parent should sing to their kids. Lyrics here: https://play.google.com/music/preview/Tv3laynwt62zktnp7vsz3okntku?lyrics=1&u=0# and a good recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUBc6-keVIQ
ReplyDeleteShould have been nicer about links:
DeleteLyrics | Recording (Youtube)
This makes me happy. And I will share a story about my little boys. I have 2 sons who, for Halloween in 2014 wanted to be ponies from My Little Pony. My almost-4 year old wanted to be Rainbow Dash and my almost-6 year old wanted to be Apple Jack. Because my husband loves Halloween, he helped shop for the perfect costumes for the boys (as an added bonus, the top piece of the costumes were sweatshirts which kept them warm on Halloween in Minnesota and could be worn again). My husband also decided that we would all be ponies, so he got me a sweatshirt/costume for Twilight Sparkle, and he got a costume for Pinkie Pie. Yes, my 6' tall, XL sized husband got an all-pink pony outfit to wear around the neighborhood with our children and to the community Halloween party. It was fabulous, and adorable, and the boys LOVED it. And we still love those sweatshirts. :)
ReplyDelete-Annette L.
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!! So much LOVE <3 <3 <3 Way to win at parenting, Stephanie! And thanks so much for sharing :D
ReplyDeleteRead this article today and it made me think of this post, so I wanted to share it here.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.boredpanda.com/boy-princess-elsa-halloween-costume-frozen-paul-henson/
It's super awesome that there are parents out there that are stepping up to their parental challenges with such aplomb! =DDDDD
My very heterosexual husband got in a fight when he was a toddler with another boy at preschool. They were fighting over who got to wear the tutu. Let kids like what they like.
ReplyDelete