Gender Games

My name is Billie, after my dad. Growing up I got my fare share of people who thought I was, or should be a boy. From time to time we get mail to Mr. and Mr. Gitter. Perhaps that is why I am a little sensitive when it comes to people mixing up my kids' gender.

Regardless of how a kid looks you would think that gender specific clothes would help identify whether your kids is a he or a she. To me, my Sam looks like a boy, has boy mannerisms and most days can be found wearing some sort of football/ basketball/baseball shirt and cap combo. Why is it then that I seem to be getting more and more "she is soo pretty" and "what is her name?". I actually had one lady last week tell me how cute she was when referring to Sam and then asked Sam what his baby brothers name was. I believe Shiloh has one red shirt and one blue one; other than that they are all pink. She has 3-4 pink coats and at least that many pink shoes and almost always wears a barrette in her hair. There must be a lot of color blind old folks out there to justify the number who call her a he. I get that if we strip a bunch of 8 month olds down to their diapers it might be difficult to tell the he's from the she's, but I take my kids out fully clothed.

I have zero qualms if someday my kids want to decide that they really belong to the opposite gender. But for now, lets' not freak a little boy out by referring to him as a girl. Blue hat with shark, green football sweater, long red shorts and running shoes....most times means boy.

PS. Just so you know, my bright, funny little boy corrected the old lady by telling her that "I not a girl, I have a penis". Good for you Sam!!!