My Little Boy Wants To Be A Cheerleader

Today we’ve got something big to chat about because it’s a subject that apparently still makes the internet lose its mind:

Boys. Cheerleading. Together. (*fake horrified scream*)

So let me start at home.

Yes, my youngest was a youth cheerleader for a season or two.

The cheer coaches begged me to put them in.

And honestly? The environment was amazing! The cheer side was welcoming, encouraging, and way more accepting than some of the spaces my oldest experienced in football.

Now my youngest … loved the spotlight.

Loved the performances.

Loved the energy.

What they DIDN’T love was sweating in the hundred-degree heat for it.

Turns out, self-expression is great. Heat exhaustion is not.

So they tried it, had fun, and moved on.

Which is… kind of the whole point.

But lately, I’ve been watching people spiral online about male cheerleaders, especially in professional sports.

The outrage.

The pearl-clutching.

The “this is the downfall of society” energy.

And it feels very familiar.

Because this isn’t really about cheerleading.

It’s about gender expectations getting challenged.

It’s about people being uncomfortable when boys are allowed softness, expression, and joy - without apology.

And here’s what I want parents to hear:

Letting kids explore interests isn’t indoctrination. It’s information.

It’s how kids learn who they are, and who they’re not.

My kid didn’t “become” anything because of cheerleading.

They just learned something about themselves.

That’s healthy.

In this space, we talk a lot about safety. And joy is PART of safety.

Kids who are allowed to express themselves freely grow up more confident, not confused.

They learn:

“I can try things.”

“I can stop when something doesn’t fit.”

“I don’t have to shrink myself to belong.”

And whether your kid wants to play football, cheer, dance, sing, or do all of the above?

The question isn’t: “Does this match tradition or societal norms?”

The question is: “Is my child safe, supported, and allowed to be themselves?”

Because childhood isn’t a performance for adults.

It’s practice for becoming whole.

That’s all for now. And don’t forget to take good care of yourself today.