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Given the national media buzz last week about Sarah’s post about her son’s Daphne costume, I thought now would be the perfect time to share the very much related story of a Seattle mother named Cheryl Kilodavis, whose son Dyson likes wear dresses, sparkly shoes, and jewelry. Unlike Sarah’s son, however, Dyson likes to dress up all year round.
To share frame her experiences for other parents and children, Cheryl wrote a book about Dyson called “My Princess Boy.” She and Dyson recently appeared on a local news magazine show, talking with the host and a psychologist about the book and their experiences:
I appreciate the discussion of how there’s generally more acceptance for tomboyish girls than there is for “princess boys,” and the psychologist’s assertion that “there’s more than one way to be a boy.” Dyson likes dressing up in clothes and jewelry — but he also likes basketball and riding his bike. Also, his dad in the audience almost made me cry.
Oh and PS: Sarah & Cheryl were both on the Today Show this morning:
Funny how much of this isn’t really about gender norms, it is about sexual orientation– ie, if your kid isn’t demonstrating as much maleness as possible there is DANGER that he’ll be GAY.
Wow. This is amazing and very impressive. I expected to be moved by the family (how adorable are they?!) but I was blown away by the school’s effort to support Dyson and encourage individuality and creativity. I want to say how lucky Dyson is, but really, every kid should have the same support.
The clip about Dyson, his family, and teachers was so touching. He’s a very fortunate little boy to have such a strong and supportive family and people in his life!
It’s wonderful to see Boo and Dyson’s stories out in the media and TV 🙂
That is spectacular!
The big brother is the one who got me. Oh, such acceptance! <333 I love this whole family.
this family is amazing! if more families were like this, i really think the world would be a better place. the big brother was so sweet and im glad the school was helpful in it all. wonderful story!
Everything starts at home and this family is amazing! It’s too bad that not all families can be as accepting when it comes to gender identification, sexual orientation or just in general. I’m not sure too many schools would do what his school has done for him and for children like him.
I think that schools need to start teaching kids that there are many different people in the world and that everyone needs to be accepted because we are all human beings. I think it would help a lot, especially because we are hearing more and more about gender and sexual orientation but no one really knows anything about it. My high school sex ed class didn’t even touch on the subject, so everything I know is from what I’ve learned on my own, which for me worked out wonderfully, but it doesn’t happen like that for a lot of people.