Navigating gender can be complicated for both children and parents. Many parents find that friends, family, and even strangers are interested in gender. This interest starts early and is expressed through questions asked of new mothers such as “Are you expecting a boy or girl”. Even once children are older, mothers experience this fascination in stranger’s assumptions around their children’s gender based on the colors they are wearing, the toys they are playing with, or the activities they love to do. Mothers of children of all ages have to find ways to find paths through the expectations of others, their own expectations, and the expectations of their children around gender and gender expression. This navigation is a journey filled with much adventure, love, and caring.
There is no one way or even one correct way to navigate these experiences. Some parents turn to gender celebrations and gender reveal parties as part of this journey. For these parents, gender celebrations can be fun ways to build connections and develop supportive networks of community for themselves and their children allowing them to better thrive as individuals. There are many ways parents might choose to celebrate the gender of their children.
Some parents will choose more classical ways to celebrate. This category of celebrations might include activities such as balloons, gender reveal confetti cannon , or color-coded filling for cupcakes. These are good for traditional parents who want to create a festive or party atmosphere. These are especially good options for celebrating infants
Some parents will choose celebrations which honor one of their hobbies or passions. There is a wide range of such activities available such as gender reveal baseball for sports lovers, or gender reveal videos or artwork for those whose passions involve their love of being creative. These are good options when you want to create a memorable celebration that friends and family will remember for years to come.
Some parents will choose other ways to share news about their children. Sometimes it is as easy as posting a heartwarming post on social media. Sometimes you can have your place of worship join you in your celebration. These types of celebrations are especially meaningful for older children who have come to a deeper understanding and awareness of their own gender and gender expression.
Gender reveal celebrations are not only for infants or babies. These celebrations can be meaningful for older children and young adults and be significant in a number of different types of contexts. Today as we work from home and stay sheltered in place we are finding we are spending more time with family. We are all seeking ways to focus on the wellness of ourselves and our families. One quick and meaningful way to do this is to have deep and meaningful conversations with those we love including our children. Such conversations can provide opportunities to support the holistic development of our children by allowing them to express their own ideas and ask their own questions in a healthy way.
Gender celebrations can be meaningful for children of all ages. These celebrations can express the love a parent feels for their children. Gender parties can also provide older children with a sense of being known, cared for, and loved. You love your child, and would do anything for them so how can you find new ways to celebrate them? You can celebrate infants. You can celebrate young children. You can celebrate young adults too. Gender reveal parties and events are just one of many possible ways to do just that. In the end, make sure you celebrate your children however it feels meaningful to you.
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