My nephew related this to me when I was visiting his family in Boston last month. His wife’s sister’s family. They have an older girl, maybe 6 or 7, and a boy a couple of years younger. Apparently, the boy has taken to demanding that he be dressed like his sister. They don’t know why and aren’t jumping to conclusions, as it could just be younger sibling idolizing older. My nephew’s in-laws, who are lovely people in my experience, are not handling this well (little boy wearing little girl dresses). They don’t like how quickly his parents acquiesce to the little boy’s wardrobe demands. They appear to be panicking that this kid will be trans if they don’t forcibly nip it in the bud.

The 2 sisters recently threw an anniversary party for the parents. Rather than just be appreciative, the parents requested to the point of demanding that little grandson dress like a boy for that party. This did not set well with my nephew and his wife. Her sister gave in, and apparently as long as their daughter wore pants and not a dress, her brother was willing to do the same. Problem solved although both sisters are feeling (last I heard) a lot of resentment towards their parents.

Seems to me it’s likelier than not that the kid is just going through a stage of idolizing big sis, and probably not making a big deal out of it is the best way to let the kid pass through the stage, if that’s what it is. If it turns out to be more, grandparents will have to come to terms (which I think they will, if perhaps grudgingly).