Lots of kids experiment with stereotypical gender roles when they are little. While this is disturbing for some parents, it really isn’t anything to stress about. Just because your son walks around in your high heels doesn’t mean that he is going to grow up “feminine.” And if your daughter would rather dress up like batman than a princess, it doesn’t mean she is going to be any more “masculine” than any of the other girls in the neighborhood. Childhood is all about exploring who they are and what makes them that way. It’s normal for children to step out of their typical gender roles as they are trying to figure things out.
For single parents, this may be happening simply because you are the parent they are spending the most time with. When my ex husband and I first got divorced Logan wanted to do everything that Mommy was doing. He pretended to shave his legs in the shower with me, he had to have his own make-up brush, and when it came to painting toenails, don’t even think about it unless you’re planning on doing his too! At first I was a little worried. I didn’t want him to be confused, but before long I realized that it really wasn’t a big deal. He still loves to play with balls and trucks and monsters, so what if he occasionally carries around a baby doll? It’s good for them to practice being nurturing too.
Children usually settle into their gender identity as they get a little older, so try not to stress too much about it now. Just encourage them to keep playing and having fun together. They’ll get things figured out in time. If nothing else, it makes for some great pictures to save for later! Just have fun with it, prince or princess, they’re still pretty dang cute little kids!