I just saw this article on CNN about kids playing across gender lines, and I had to laugh. Of course, I don't believe that gender roles should be reinforced at any age. I laughed because it made me think of Eric, who has been having a lot of fun lately pushing around a doll stroller and a shopping cart.

It's cute. It's funny. It doesn't (necessarily) mean he is gay. He's just a baby pushing a thing with wheels. It goes where he wants, and that is fun for him. He doesn't play with the baby at all; he simply wants it to sit in the stroller and make sure its hat doesn't fall off. He also doesn't want anything in the shopping cart; anything you put in, he simply throws out. He loves playing with Anneli's jewelry. But he also loves cars, trucks, trains, and airplanes. He loves throwing balls. He loves riding his trike.

Anneli loves to play with Lego blocks. She spent almost all her time building with Lego blocks when we were at Grandpa's house, and she has done it almost every day since coming home. Yes, she has a set in a pink box (from Grandpa), but she loves building cars and houses. Let's not forget the bucket full of cars she has (Cars and just regular cars). She loves the movie Cars. She has pillows, markers, shirts, and books with Lightning McQueen emblazoned on them. She does a little princess dress-up now and then, but it's short-lived. She will be going to preschool with her Lightning McQueen backpack, and if any of the girls or boys have a problem with it, they can suck it.

My children will grow up to be well-adjusted with no hang-ups about gender roles or gender identity. I want my kids to be happy, to enjoy whatever activity they like, to know that girls and boys can do whatever they want. People need to stop worrying about making their children follow stereotypes and let them just be kids.