"He's a boy! He's supposed to be dirty!"

ThatWasAHoot · September 2012

Anyone else hate hearing this? Everyone assumes that because my child is a boy that he is "supposed" to be dirty or that for some reason. I don't think gender should reflect cleanliness!

/end rant

drpayne · September 2012

I'm happier accepting this than fighting it

He likes to sit in dirt. He ruins clothes. It is what it is.

TiffanyBerry · September 2012

I prefer "He/she is a kid. Kid's are supposed to be dirty!"

sarabara13 · September 2012

My daughter LOVES dirt. I agree with "kids are supposed to be dirty" rather than getting gender specific.

Jennikd3 · September 2012

TiffanyBerry:
I prefer "He/she is a kid. Kid's are supposed to be dirty!"

^This!

stephdruskinis · September 2012

I get frustrated, too. I hate anything dirty...why is it okay with some people to have kids play in DIRT? Sand at the beach is one thing, dirt and mud in the backyard? Heck no.

I have a boy, but I'd feel the same way with a girl! I'm a clean freak!

Mason&Mama · September 2012

Ha ha. I said this about my own kid today. I met with some other Bump gals for a trip to the zoo. The babies were playing in the mulch/dirt/grass in the picnic area, and we just let them get dirty. They were kids being kids. They had more fun doing that then seeing the animals. When I said the comment about boys being dirty, I suppose I meant that kids in general are supposed to get dirty. He had fun, and we went home and gave him a a bath. Tomorrow he will probably play with rocks and sticks and dirt at the park. It's what makes him happy.

Wufroggy79 · September 2012

It is a pet peeve of mine that people make excuses for boys because they are boys - I.e. hitting, aggression, dirty, running around like a maniac, etc.

amberpro · September 2012

There's a ton of reasons why playing in the dirt and mud is GREAT for a child... sensory development, immune bolster, boosts creativity, introduction to art and nature... not to mention it's ridiculously fun! I think the same applies for playing in the jello and spaghetti- anything messy.

But these, of course, are reasons for ALL kids to get dirty. Not just boys. Statements about boys being dirty are just expressions and I don't think most people that say them would be offended or surprised by a girl playing in the mud.

Kitiara5512 · September 2012

If you're expecting your kids to stay clean, you're expecting way too much. Kids are supposed to get dirty and they dont really care what you want or expect.

BabyLouWho · September 2012

I think the subject got lost here. The poster was frustrated at people saying "He's a boy, he's supposed to be dirty." The poster didn't comment on boys playing in the dirt or being dirty. She was just commenting on the excuse that people make for boys. The poster is a mother and I doubt that she'd freak out over her son being dirty.