Son wants a dolls house

[mum19821985]

My son (5) wants a dolls house for Christmas. This is completely fine with my husband and I and we already have one picked out for him! Every Saturday DS goes to a local group, this Saturday they all had to take in their letters to Santa and read them out. DS read his out in front of the class, he has also asked for batman related stuff etc. Teacher responded by saying that dolls houses are for girls and DS told me that the other children laughed. He told me he then ran off to the toilet. I am so angry at the teachers reaction. Toys are toys and he can and always has been allowed to play with whatever he wants! He loves Barbies and Batman and it's wonderful to see his imagination run wild when playing. I am so upset that he has been made to feel ashamed for wanting a dolls house. I told him that the teacher was silly and that he can play with whatever he wants. I told him that there is no such thing as "boys" toys or "girls" toys, just toys. Grrrrr!

[MrsDc7]

I totally agree with you. I'd speak to the school if I were you

[PosiePootlePerkins]

What is the group?

[mum19821985]

It's a performing arts group. You would think that they would be more tolerant!

[Penfold007]

What an awful thing for the teacher to do.

[antimatter]

Complain to the management of that group. I know I would.
My son loved playing with dolls and has amazing imagination.

[SaltyRock]

I'd tear a strip off that teacher and make the teacher explain to the whole class why what was said was wrong and stupid.

[PosiePootlePerkins]

Definitely complain. Rubbish attitude. Explain to your Ds that some people have very silly ideas and not to listen.

[corythatwas]

SaltyRock Sun 13-Nov-16 11:16:53
"I'd tear a strip off that teacher and make the teacher explain to the whole class why what was said was wrong and stupid"

This.

A doll's house is an amazing toy and will give pleasure for ages.

[strawberrybubblegum]

Why did they have to read out their letters to Santa?

So the teacher encourages the worst kind of materialism (comparing your possessions to your friends), enforces 1950s gender stereotypes (a dolls house for a boy is hardly cutting edge) and publically shames a 5 year old.

There is no way my child would be going back to that class - not even one more time. I'd explain to DC that the teacher had wrong-minded ideas and had been unkind, and I didn't want them teaching him. Find another awesome Saturday class for him instead.

Up to you whether you require an apology from the teacher - forget the principle and just think carefully about what would be best for your son. If you think he'd benefit from an apology (public recognition that the teacher was wrong, and that you have his back) make sure you're there with him. Don't just send him into the class: a person like that teacher will find a way to make the apology another sneery dig if they can get away with it.

[Pollyanna9]

I'd be LIVID if they did this to my DS - stupid stupid 'teacher' (I use the term loosely). It's totally unforgivable both on a personal and professional level. She needs a bollocking for it and apologise to the entire class - silly cow.

Even though playing with dolls is entirely normal for any child of any sex, playing dolls house is all about so many other things as well. Imagination, figuring out how families work, relationships - it's really got some important themes running through it.

Sounds like your DS has far more understanding than the flippin' teacher!

[crispandcheesesanwichplease]

What an awful thing to happen to your DS. Tell him the teacher is a cavewoman and unevolved. I'd use it as an opportunity to talk with him about gender stereotypes and explain that some people are stuck in the dark ages.

I wouldn't want him to return to that class tbh. I know you can't protect your kids from all the sexism in the universe but you do have control over him attending that class. I'd feel the same if the the teacher expressed racist or homophobic views too. Bigotry is bigotry and imo unacceptable.

I would also want to punch the teacher!