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Original poster

Liking children’s things as an adult

123 replies

DuvetCovers · 13/12/2023 17:13

As a child I loved things like Flower Fairies and Brambly Hedge, but was never allowed them as my mum didn’t approve (very much not her aesthetic).

The problem is that I still love them, despite being a lawyer in my 40s with kids and a large mortgage.

Very tempted to buy some books. Does anyone else do things like this? Don’t want to end up a mad old lady in a house full of dolls and doilies 😂

OP posts:
rasellagirl · 13/12/2023 18:06

Love Winnie the Pooh ( very wise), and would love a bowl of Farley’s rusks and warm milk.
I am 60.

KatBurglar · 13/12/2023 18:08

I buy children's books when I see a lovely one. I think books are for everyone to enjoy. Who cares if it's written for children if it's still a beautiful thing?

Giggorata · 13/12/2023 18:19

I have (a lot of) dolls houses, including shops, pubs, a mill, and a vampire castle with dungeon full of torture instruments and skeletons.
I also have dolls to occupy them, all with names and histories. They include vampires, witches and wizards, elves and aliens and a sort of Nac Mac Feegle Celtic tribe, all tartan and tattoos.

elliejjtiny · 13/12/2023 18:22

Do it. I love my Jacqueline Wilson books.

NorthCliffs · 13/12/2023 18:22

You can prise my Mr Men duvet cover from my cold, dead hands! (47 here).

MirandaWest · 13/12/2023 18:30

I have an entire (tall) bookcase of children's school stories. And various jellycat creatures. And we also have several Playmobil advent calendars that come out each year and these are mostly for my benefit. Life's too short to not have things you enjoy.

Jifmicroliquid · 13/12/2023 18:30

I regularly buy myself toys (And not the adult kind!)

Most recent addition is a jellycat cat. I’ve also got my eye on a fingerling 😂

ChickenMaths · 13/12/2023 18:36

@DuvetCovers you should have a look at Claire Fraser prints if that's the sort of thing you like!

BogRollBOGOF · 13/12/2023 18:38

I've been oggling the 40th birthday edition My Little Ponies in the toy shop. Apple Jack, Posey, Tutti Frutti.
Proper My Little Ponies 😁

Higgeldypiggeldy35 · 13/12/2023 18:39

I am a bit obsessed with bluey, more so than my kids. I think its brilliantly done

deeplybaffled · 13/12/2023 18:43

I take my laptop to and from work in a Smiggle backpack🤷‍♀️

BarbedButterfly · 13/12/2023 18:47

Life is too short to worry about this stuff. Buy what you love. Be happy. My grandmother who sadly died of cancer a few years back told me she had always wanted a pair of roller skates but hadn't been allowed to have them and then said she was too sick to get them then. I wish I had gone out and bought her a pair the next day.

Given the state of the world right now I think we all need a bit of childlike joy.

MammaWeasel · 13/12/2023 18:51

What a lovely thread!

I have brambly hedge and other children's books. I too, love Smiggle.

Treat yourself, OP, embrace your inner child.

HuntingoftheSnark · 13/12/2023 18:54

Sasha dolls. I had one as a seven year old - I still have him but always wanted more. At 54 I now have a small collection of them. It makes me very happy that they live in my bookcases.

GenerousGardener · 13/12/2023 18:55

As a child I loved my Sindy doll. As an adult I still love Sindy dolls. I have a collection and have just bought a 60th anniversary Sindy doll. Yes, she really is 60 years old.

DGPP · 13/12/2023 18:58

I have Brambley Hedge and have bought My Little Pony.
mid 40s

BloodandGlitter · 13/12/2023 19:00

Pfft what good is being an adult if you can't do and have all the things you wanted as a child? Indulge yourself and enjoy what you enjoy it doesn't matter what anyone else says. I'm a 37 year old with multiple monster high dolls, multiple figurines of animes, pokemon and just cute things, also a decent sized plush collection.

Ittastesvile · 13/12/2023 19:19

I still have all my old children's books and read them. Especially if I'm ill and need a bit of comfort. Mostly Enid Blyton and Sweet Valley High.

I never got a train set as a child so I am very much enjoying playing Brio with DC.

I also want a Victorian doll's house but DC is too young for now.

SpeculatingRooks · 13/12/2023 19:20

BogRollBOGOF · 13/12/2023 18:38

I've been oggling the 40th birthday edition My Little Ponies in the toy shop. Apple Jack, Posey, Tutti Frutti.
Proper My Little Ponies 😁

Yes! I've got Bow tie on my Christmas list!!

Sharontheodopolodous · 13/12/2023 19:22

As a kid,I was horse mad

I got my first my little pony for my 3rd/4th Christmas

I had 3 real ones and a fake-I really wanted others but never got them

A long story short,they where put in a skip when my grandad was shoved into a home-i lived with him but he started to suffer with dementia-I lost everything I owned because my aunt just threw everything out

Years later,I opened an eBay account and the 3rd thing I bought was cotton candy-my first pony

Than I bought peaches,seashell and Megan the doll

Followed by all the ones I wanted but didn't get as a child

I also own the nursery,a stable,clothing and a lot of accessories

Fuck it-i work hard for my money and it makes me happy to see them all lined up on the bookcase in the spare room

They also come in handy if any children come over-I just pull them out-both boys and girls enjoy playing with them

SallyWD · 13/12/2023 19:26

I'm a bit like that. I find kids things really comforting. I miss the innocence.

vintagechick43 · 13/12/2023 19:34

As a child I loved my cousins bunnykins plate and really wanted one but my mum wouldn’t let me. When I stumbled across one at a car boot a few years ago I bought it. I use it whenever I have toast and it brings me great joy.

Cherrysoup · 13/12/2023 21:34

DuvetCovers · 13/12/2023 17:13

As a child I loved things like Flower Fairies and Brambly Hedge, but was never allowed them as my mum didn’t approve (very much not her aesthetic).

The problem is that I still love them, despite being a lawyer in my 40s with kids and a large mortgage.

Very tempted to buy some books. Does anyone else do things like this? Don’t want to end up a mad old lady in a house full of dolls and doilies 😂

I looked for the wall calendar 2024 but it’s sold out in most places. Thought that might be a nice idea if you like those pictures. I do too, especially the autumn ones!

Mulberry974 · 13/12/2023 21:53

Do what makes you happy OP. I'm now wanting to get Sylvanian families as I didn't have any as a kid 😀

Gabby10 · 13/12/2023 22:09

I remember having a conversation at work once about books that made you cry and remembered the first time I cried at a book was Jacqueline Wilson's angel. I found one in a charity shop and read it again. I can't wait for my DD to be older so I can buy them all again just to mainly read myself 😂