'Let Toys Be Toys' Organising Thread - Part 2

Given that we have bounced into media outreach a little earlier than planned I propose we start the petition now, so that whoever goes on BBC breakfast can say 'please sign the petition to tell retailers to let toys be toys'

I have drafted it here:

www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/toy-retailers-in-uk-and-ireland-stop-promoting-toys-as-only-for-boys-or-only-for-girls-2

It is based on the wording on the twitter and FB accounts. It is not aimed at any particular retailer just 'retailers in the UK and Ireland' - we can target who we send it to later.

What do you think?

I know this is obvious but it's occurred to me that we'll really need to make it explicit that we have no problem with little girls who like pink or boys who play with cars (or vice versa!). The issue is that when talking to other parents we've found that most kids have a wide range of interests and it seems a shame to try to stop them exploring these.

I'm just thinking of the criticisms I've received at work that I'm a mean Mummy who refuses to let my children play with the toys they want!

Oh wow bbc breakfast!! This is fab! Bit out if the loop as we are the puke family and afyer, ds4, ds1, dd and dp had the bug ds2 and myself succomed over the weekend and yesterday. Dp had to take time off work as all i did yesterday was lie on the bathroom floof. I had to call him up and get him to come home. Feeling bwtter today as long as i dont move. poor ds2 has been the worst tho and we had to get the out if hours dr. He is recovering and looks slightly less deathlike tiday.

Not sure about tv but radio phone interviews etc or newspaper interviews.

Are these all being dine in london? I am in norwich so if necessary can hop on a train to london with a few days notice so sort childcare etc.

Great news about BBC Breakfast! Have been a bit useless this week (DS ill - nothing serious) but am definitely still cheering from the sidelines and busy retweeting, commenting on Facebook etc.

Haha, now there's an idea!

I'm happy to help out media wise, did some contacting / press releases for a breastfeeding piece earlier on in the year, not frightened by them any more

I'd volunteer except I'm in Buckinghamshire and have bright green hair. Not going to help us look less radical really

blimey!

So......

Unless something much more newsworthy happens in the next 24hours we are going to be on BBC Breakfast tomorrow morning.

We have an informal 'media swat' team of onehandwavingfree, ashesgirl, Aufaniae, MurderofGoths and me....and one of us will be on the telly.

There may be more media requests after that (I think there is a sweet spot between the Swedish catalogue story and xmas - and we have to go for it now, even if we are not quite ready...)

Anyone else who wants to join the media team put your hand up!

does he look more boylike if his hair is tied back?

Yes please more surveys. I am working on the data crunching but can add more data as it comes it. It helps if we have a few responses for each store, so the average is more reliable.

Will try to do survey for local independent department store tomorrow to give it credit for actually getting it right. No signs anywhere, everything by theme.
Will depend on everyone stopping bloody vomiting though, so can't promise.

I got all keen to post pictures of DS1 playing with his selection of domestic drudgery toys, tea sets, baking etc. Then I remembered that it would be no help at all as he's got long hair and gets taken for a girl all the time. Arse.
Will look round more see if I can find some of his mashups - trains having tea parties, cuddly toys in pushchairs holding a digger etc.

yup, still doing surveys.

there's a list of needs and don't needs up the thread ^
(by ConsiderCasey)

yes, just fill in the form as it says - if you do more than one you have to clear your cookies to be allowed back in.

Hello! Just saw this. Are we still doing surveys? Do I just fill in the form? Can I do online shop?

Ah, finally found the new thread. I thought it had all gone quiet

hope you're feeling a bit more positive now Goth
(only if DS doesn't have hayfever, in which case i retract the and proffer and instead)

This is brilliant - toys being listed for 'boys' or 'girls' online or in shops really gets on my nerves. Very impressed that people are doing something about it - thank you!

Hey everyone, I'm about. Sorry to vanish. DS's hospital appointment was just for an allergy test, so nothing worrying. Unfortunately DH and I suffer with mental health problems and have been struggling the last few days.

see, i thought it was an American thing (by your original thread OHWF)
this is an american store

LaGuerta even (one-handed typing)