A dad in Germany is wearing skirts as a show of solidarity for his 5-year-old son, who loves to wear women’s clothing. Instead of doing what many dads would probably do (either gently persuade his son to wear more manly clothing, or tell him he can wear what he wants), the man, Nils Pickert, went above and beyond, wearing skirts out in public to support his son, effectively earning himself the title of Dad of the Year.

Pickert’s son loves to dress up in skirts and dresses, an incredibly unconventional choice in the “very traditional” South German village they live in, reports The Stir. The little boy’s clothing choices are so out of place that a resident even walked face-first into a street light while staring at him once.

The little boy became scared to venture out into the attire, because he did not want to be laughed at anymore. Instead of gently encouraging his son to wear more conventional clothes, Nils Pickert put on dresses and skirts too. Carbonated notes that Pickert explained:

“I didn’t want to talk my son into not wearing dresses and skirts. He didn’t make friends in doing that in Berlin already, and after a lot of contemplation, I had only one option left: To broaden my shoulders for my little buddy and dress in a skirt myself.”

Because of his dad’s response, Pickert’s son is no longer afraid to dress how he wants to, and the teasing he receives from others doesn’t bother him anymore.

“The day [after I wore a skirt] he fished out a dress from the depth of his wardrobe. At first only for the weekend. Later also for nursery-school. He’s simply smiling, when other boys (and it’s nearly always boys) want to make fun of him and says: ‘You only don’t dare to wear skirts and dresses because your dads don’t dare to either.’”

Would you consider wearing a skirt for your son to support his choice of wearing women’s clothing?