[gender] So a very young child asked if I was a boy or a girl yesterday and I tried to think of something to say that would make it a teachable moment but like... it was a stranger's kid at the zoo, you know?

not really the time to say "sorry kid, gender is irrelevant" or something but it felt weird

yeah, you really gotta have a skateboard and some shades to make that one work

(I don't mean it's individually irrelevant, of course)

what did you end up saying?

"uh... a... girl?"

it was in passing and next to a carousel so there wasn't much to be done

the fact that you didn't get upset or treat it like a stupid question makes it a teachable moment in itself

and like I am sort of flattered when I am confusing but not if it upsets kids lol

I mean, she didn't seem to think it was a weird question, obviously!

I have short hair and no figure, /shrug

yeah kids have no qualms asking if they're not sure

it's not a big deal for them

it just made me feel weird to specify for some reason

but not because I was offended

Yeah being very causal about acting like it's a reasonable question is a great treachable moment

ok

also I totally understand the hesitance with it being a strangers kid

I work as a reliever in preschools and that can be an interesting situation

yup