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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think family calendars are sexist?

57 replies

RedHotSanta · 31/12/2011 15:09

Whilst shopping yesterday I decided to look for a family calendar for 2012, as no one had bought us one for Xmas. We find it invaluable to have one of the large family planners, the ones with a column for each member of the family, as DH, I and the DCs all have our own hobbies and groups, and its a nightmare keeping on top of them all.

Anyway, went in a few shops (incl Calendar Club) and EVERY single family calendar I could find said something along the lines of 'Mums family planner' with the first column stating something like 'Mums stuff'.

What a load of crap! I wanted a FAMILY calendar, where the first column was for general all family things (family birthdays, MOT dates etc) and then columns for the 4 family members.

Isn't it a bit sexist (even if in many cases it may be true!) to suggest that Mum is responsible for the whole family's diaries! How about everyone in families (or at least the adults) is EQUALLY responsible for their own appointments! No wonder there are so many MN threads about how mums are expected to remember everything for everyone, with little things like this reinforcing such 50s mentality!

OP posts:

PatriciaHolm · 31/12/2011 17:48

I have this year's Charlie and Lola one, so it exists!

ComposHat · 31/12/2011 18:05

What's wrong with being Sexy?

MissPB · 31/12/2011 18:43

I have a lovely "family organiser" one that doesn't mention "mum" just a space for 5 - yes 5 names and a space for birthdays too. I love it! I don't work for them but have a look here

Sorry to be so gushy and keen but I have had one of these for the past few years and it works really well

FantasticVoyage · 31/12/2011 18:55

Yup - the Charlie & Lola calendar for 2012 has blank columns so you can write your own names in.

(The Mayans obviously didn't have Charlie & Lola. Unless they used them as human sacrifices and cut out their still-beating hearts)

Dustinthewind · 31/12/2011 19:04

I've always used a family planner calendar with 4 columns, I've never bought the twee ones for mums covered in home baking, shoes and frilly bits.
The ones I choose are not defining me or my role, and the fact that you are buying yours so late shows that only the crap ones are left because people probably aren't buying them.
I got mine in November

Teaandcakeplease · 31/12/2011 19:07

MissPB I love that calendar and the fact it has a pocket for tickets etc in each month Unfortunately I already have 2 calendars for 2012 thanks to buying my own and then an unexpected Christmas present and neither are as good as that one.

SardineQueen · 31/12/2011 19:11

HOW have I gone through 38 years of life and never heard of or seen one of these before now?????? FFS how is that possible?

I NEED one of these and now I have the usual one from my mum that has 1mm boxes for writing everyone's stuff in

LadyBeagleEyes · 31/12/2011 19:15

I forgot to get a calendar this year but even if I have one I forget to write anything in it.
Last year I had a lovely Beagle one
I've heard it's very unlucky to buy your own calendar.
Is this true?

sheepgomeep · 31/12/2011 19:23

Ive got the Gruffalo one this year, thats got blank columns too

bigeyes · 31/12/2011 19:28

YANBU

I noticed this too, thought here're some that say family. But vast majority feminine with mum in title.

I notice more stuff like this after spending and increased amount of time on here last few months and the odd feminist thread.

Even though I am a SAHP and we have traditional roles that work for us and view such a calendar as being usefule to my job (as I see itnasnanjob with value) I still think they are in the main sexist in their presentation.

bigeyes · 31/12/2011 19:30

Sorry bloomin iPad keyboard

gottagetanewcalender · 31/12/2011 19:37

I supposed i am not bothered by it as my role is defined as mum, because i am widowed. My dd's would never have bought me something like this (and wouldn't now, i need a detailed planner calender and diary for work), but they have since their dad died given me poems etc about my role as mum (and thus a LP).

A work collegue had her adoption approved in November and has/had such things bought. There is a market for them, as posters on here have shown, so why want them removed?

EtInTerraPax · 31/12/2011 20:03

We have a Charlie and Lola one again this year- 5 blank columns. I think it was from WHS.

backwardLFDTpossom · 31/12/2011 20:12

I thought you weren't supposed to buy your own calendar?

FairToMiddlin · 31/12/2011 20:42

I mainly need a calender/planner to keep track of my hair appointments.

DH needs to look at the calender so he knows when to compliment my hair

LadyFlumpalot · 31/12/2011 20:44

I have an "Organised Mum" Lifebook and dya know what - it's bloody brilliant. It is not sexist (in my opinion) as I am a mum, and I would like to be better organised. I use it for MY budget, MY appointments and things I need to remember. If DP doesn't buy his own calendar/diary then it is his tough shit if he forgets anything!

Tonksforthememories · 01/01/2012 14:47

We bought one last week from The Works with Six blank columns, 99p and called a 'Family Organiser'. Perfect! Am liking the idea of the Simpsons one though, and the Simon's Cat!

maypole1 · 01/01/2012 14:50

Op you are talking out of your arse just brought Charlie and Lola one

And on the front it's says Charlie and Lola family planner 2012

Fo0ffyShmo0ffer · 01/01/2012 14:52

I have the planner from Organised Mum but there is nothing Mum specific about it. It's a family organiser.

Takeresponsibility · 01/01/2012 14:54

I have two sheets of card with days of the week across the top and boxes to write the date and month, They are magnetised and laminated and live on the fridge.

Had them for years and they worked for a family of 4, 3 of whom worked shifts and one who was at school/Uni.

We bought the originals in Canada, and when we separated I bought the same thing from e bay for less than a fiver.

randommoment · 01/01/2012 14:59

The thing that REALLY annoys me about the Mum's Family Calendar is the so-called useful storage pocket at the bottom with sheets of 'useful' stickers. All it does is make the blasted thing flap out into the room, where every child who passes knocks it down.

Fo0ffyShmo0ffer · 01/01/2012 15:02

Random - I've given up on the stickers. I use them for rewards for the DCs instead. Any given day you'll find a child running round with a " Wheelie Bin" sticker or a "Worm the dog" sticker. They don't care.

Kytti · 01/01/2012 15:03

pmsl at sarahstratton Spot on! lol

Calendars don't fit our family of six... but I'd quite like a Mummy's one!

LittleMissFlustered · 01/01/2012 15:06

I got a Mr Men one and was more annoyed by them being the new drawings, which mostly suck

My local calendar club shop was pretty heavy on the twee this year, but I was sorely tempted by the Simon's Cat one mentioned up thread purely for its sheer uncomplicated simplicity. And the cats:o

Gay40 · 01/01/2012 15:10

Loads of things are sexist and traditional. Try being two mums who have to accommodate a dad's plans despite him living in another house and finding a calendar for that arrangement

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