toddler activities based on gender?

You are perfectly fine! My daughter takes Karate classes too. And a woman there has all three of her children in gymnastics - including her 5 year old son. If your child is interested in gymnastics, dance, etc - then go for it! Don't listen to the in-laws as they are coming from a different generation where that's how they thought...He is your child and you would do more harm telling him no - he can't dance because your not a girl. Go build something because you're a boy. LOL You are on the right path! Keep up the good work mama!!

Oh, inlaws. They come up with the weirdest things, don't they? There are not things I wouldn't enroll my children in because of gender. If we limit our children based on what some consider to be gender-appropriate, then we lose the opportunity to be treated to real talent. I'm sure glad that Fred Astaire danced, despite being a man. And that Bing Crosby sang and danced. If you really want to shock this in-law, show her a college cheerleading competition on ESPN. Male cheerleaders! She'll faint.

You can tell your in-law that professional athletes sometimes take ballet lessions to improve their balance. Gymnastics is an olympic event in which men also compete and that many talented men pursue music, ballroom dancing, etc. as careers. There is nothing wrong with it. Your child's interests in these things may play out one day or it could develop into a life-long career. Many male chefs make a large sum of money for their talents. Their interest will not confuse them on their gender.

I believe that you should let your child deciede what he or she likes and do not force them to do what they don't like because they will never excell in it

I cannot believe how closed of mind some people are...gymnastics is for EVERYONE regardless of age gender etc. If you little boy enjoys gymnastics then it's great that you encourage him to carry on doing so. Same applies for music and dance, how can you say music and dance is for girls only? I do dispair of some peoples thoughts on things...

I think it's fine for your kids to do whatever makes them happy. Since when was it up to in laws to decide what is right for your child? If your son enjoys music and dance, and gymnastics then enroll him. If your in laws kick up a stink about it, remind them that most countries have a male gymnastics Olympic team and they never whine about those guys. If my daughter came to me and told me she wanted to do karate or something like that, I would be more than happy to enroll her. The only thing I would do first is make sure that she does actually want to do it, and not just because her firnds are doing it too.

I think you are FINE. My 2 y/o daughter is enrolled in karate and also t'ball. She also does ballet. So, its completely up to you, who cares what other people say??? This is YOUR child! Not theirs! Have fun and do what you think your child would like. Not what your in laws would like!

There aren't any activities I wouldn't enroll my kid(s) in because of gender (except, of course, Girl Scouts). I know of lots of little boys who are in music and gymnastics classes. I don't really see how these are just for girls, and think that's a bit unfair to boys - gymnastics is a lot of fun for toddlers. My husband, however, says that if we have a boy, he is only doing ballet if he asks to do it. (But husband is fine with any other activities - he did figure skating and gymnastics when he was little.)

If I have a kid definitely not. Not becaue he is a boy he don't have the right to be in a class that he loves to do. Stereotyping is more prevailant from old days and now the time is changing. I think when choosing an extra curicullar activity for your child you have to consider the fact that if he will going to enjoy it. In your case I think he will. Maybe the best way to really be sure what kind to pick is to bring him in to those classes and let him see the deal and let him choose what he really like regardless of how girly the sport maybe.

Good for you if you enrol your children in anything that will amuse, take their fancy, help keep them active and social. Let them worry about gender issues when they feel the need. They'll tell you if it "fels" wrong. You sound like a wonderful parent.

I think dance, music, art, and gymnastics are completely unisex activities. Plus, learning how to do flips and stuff is really fun! Gymnastics and dance both strengthen the body and teach balance and control... and who ever said music was for girls? Those stereotypes have always bugged me.. I was in all those classes as a girl, and while there weren't many boys, there were some.. and I was quite a bit older than your son when I was enrolled!

I think your inlaws are nuts. There's absolutely nothing wrong with the activities you have enrolled your children in. Goodness, heaven forbid we allow our children to do something they actually enjoy!

I think it's wonderful that you are exposing your son to all these different activities. Nothing you do will make him less masculine or more feminine since that is determined before birth. If your son enjoys gymnastics or dance class then he should pursue his talents. My son played baseball, but would much rather play music. He's a well-rounded, healthy young man now. As for in-laws, they always have unsolicited advice to spare. I just nod and smile.

I think you should enroll toddlers in classes that suit their personality or what you feel like enrolling them in. It's your choice and when they get older they can decide whether they want to stick with it or not. To often people are forced into doing things they hate because of their gender. When I was little I learned how to cook and did so for myself most of the time from then on. My brother is 15 and he doesn't even boil tea water for himself, my mother does it.

My son took a gymnastics class when he was 3. He was terrified of it and didn't participate much but there were other boys in the class (mostly girls). When we move back to that area this summer I am planning on getting him into the older boy's gymnastics class they offer for boys over 6. I don't think it is a "girl" sport. They did a "gym show" to showcase all the classes and the older boys were learning to do flips and vaults. And they looked like they were having a lot of fun. He also took a gardening class and was like one of 3 boys in the class but he didn't care. He likes to cook so he helps me in the kitchen and wants to learn to knit as soon as he is old enough.

gender has nothign to do with what ur son/ daughter like... i have a son and i will let him learn what ever he likes and enjoys.. if ur son enjoys gym..so be it...i dont think there is any gender bias in sports, dance, singing or any form of art

I don't see anything wrong with it. I put one of my boys in a gymnastics class and my 2 year old girl WILL be taking karate!! I think it's your child and it's totally up to you! If your in-laws don't like it-oh well, they had their turn to raise their kids and now it's your turn! Good luck!

Does your in-law watch gymnastics or ballet? There are male in gymnastics and in ballet. If your son likes gymnastics of ballet, you should enrole him into classes.He is the right age for either ballet or gymnastics.The main thing is that he likes it and has fun doing it.Besides it is good exercise.

No, if my child, whether boy or girl wants to go into certain activities i will support him/her all the way. My son is a very good dancer for his young age (he turns two on the 9th) and if he seems inclined we plan to enter him into a dance class when he gets older. My daughter who's 5 starts a taekwondo class this summer(here in the Philippines, it's the summer season and school's off) but she also receives tutoring lessons in art two hours a week. So whatever she wants to do, we support, ditto with our son. So I think your doing the right thing, don't really mind your in laws just explain to them that just because you enroll your son in a gymnastics class means he will be girly or something like that, there are many athlethes/gymnasts who are men and continue to be so. It's something he likes to do and you just feel that it's the right thing to do. simple, your the mother and you know that they mean well but you know what's best for your kid.

it is not just for girls if i had a boy and loved to do what your son does i would be happy to stick him there its not just for girls.i know plenty of guy people who are on a gymnastics.so if he wants to be in it let him dont make him not go because some people think it is for girls.