If I were the mum I would be telling my daughter she is a girl and not a wolf and there is no need for her to pretend to be one to be friends with this girl. She should just be herself and remain true to herself and let us all let common sense and respect for one another prevail.

I really wouldn’t be too worried. You write that it was her birthday recently and the friend bought your daughter a tail. To be honest I don’t know how often my kids were given dress up clothes on a birthday party under which an unicorn tail. And at school the friend of your daughter receives normal boundaries like banning her wearing wolf items to school. That the friend still wears them on party days/world book day/non uniform is not inappropriate. And does your daughter in fact spend a lot of time with this girl outside of school ?

I would just let her be, she is 10 and it seems harmless from what I have read. This article was very interesting but kids are just being kids and imaginary play is still very important at this age. If you are worried about maybe seek some professional advice first to see if this is normal behaviour at this age before reacting.

I am quite interested in this article as my daughter, 12, talks about furries a lot. Personally, I think she is too old to be acting like a cat, etc. but she can be a little immature. She says she’s not therian but just thinks that the costumes are cute, etc. I think the whole thing is just plain weird.

Be the adult tell her she isn’t a wolf and never will be but it’s ok to pretend to be one while playing but that is it in school at home and when you go out she is a girl very simple stop trying to be woke step up and make boundaries

Kids love imaginary and pretend play which also has a function in their development, in specific their creativity, social skills, cognitive skills and understanding the world by playing out roles, scenario’s and their idea’s. This way of exploring helps them to understand the world and most kids engage in imaginary play till they are 10 `a 12 years old. Personally I wouldn’t be too worried about it and at a certain age the world around them will correct them, as in this example the school sets certain expectations already.

I think expressing creativity is great but for me this crosses a line and I likely would not want my child to engage with the child who identifies as a wolf. We’re influenced by our friends – good or bad – if they steal, if they smoke – if they identify as an animal. I think the current climate allows too much. This is not the same as identifying as a Disney Princess or a Superhero. While you want to be respectful to the furries issues, more important is looking after your own children. Listen to your gut!

Kids definitely have an imagination and can be whatever they want – it’s all fun and play. But when it becomes a whole personality that seems to ‘stick’ and then starts recruiting other ‘quiet’ kids, it makes me wonder if it’s their way of controlling others. Kids shouldn’t feel pressured to be something theyre not

To be honest, kids will be kids, when I was a kid I wanted to be a Disney Princess, let them play the character if they want to, they will grow out of it, but when it comes to school, teach them that schools are only allowed school uniforms and that they can wear it when school is done so have the costume ready in the car when you pick them up. Kids enjoy playing dress up so let them be.

Unfortunately parents do let their kids be ‘furries’. It’s ridiculous but that’s the world we live in. Maybe tell her she’ll have to eat & sleep outside. I’d be strongly discouraging it.

As a teacher this has me so worried. Children need to express themselves, but choosing to identify as an animal is just ridiculous. Fair enough in younger children during play but not as they head off to school. I’m concerned how this affects the students learning and that of those around her if she is howling rather than talking.

This is an important age for children to learn not to be coerced into situations they don’t feel comfortable with. This mum needs to reassure her daughter that she does not need to do what others want in order to be accepted.

A lot of these types of stories – about kids identifying as animals – have been shown to be urban myths, so right off the bat I’m having trouble taking this seriously. But I think she should be telling her daughter to be herself, be kind to the other girl, but you don’t have to copy her.