As a feminist and general supporter of breaking traditional gender roles, it’s a strange experience to watch Max (who turns 4 in 2 weeks) becoming the quintessential little boy.

His first doll was a giant Dora doll. He love the show until last year. He’s never been into trucks and cars or guns (that’s my doing; now he’s learned to shoot with his finger from daycare). If he was curious about my makeup I let him put some on. Neither my husband or I have forced “traditional” boy activities or toys on him, and have encouraged the opposite.

But he’s nearly 4. He is OBSESSED with Power Rangers (who knew there were so many damn types? SPD, Jungle Fury, Operation Overdrive…who can keep up?), loves Pokemon, and can even tell me Transformers’ backgrounds. It’s weird. I don’t exactly mind this change (although I draw the line when he says “girls can’t be Power Rangers.” I fight back with “girls can be anything they want to be.”), and have decided to accept it as the inevitable.

At least he can have Pokemon help him with his tea party.