Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Am I REALLY being unreasonable to buy my DS a barbie?

74 replies

MrsPeeWee · 03/12/2013 13:40

My DS is almost 6. He's our only child. Smile

He is really interested in playing with little figures and people. We have bought him some action men and little figures for Christmas. For weeks now, he has been asking for a barbie doll, so I bought him a cheap one earlier today.

My DH forbid me to buy him one.
So before DH gets home, I am looking for some points to throw at him to shut him up. Grin

So, is it really a big deal?
(I personally don't believe it is.)

OP posts:
OutragedFromLeeds · 03/12/2013 13:42

No, of course not.

Your DH is being a twat. What is his problem? Is he worried DS will catch the gay?

Sparklymommy · 03/12/2013 13:44

My ds, who is six, has a baby Annabel doll called Adam.

He loves it. And he has brothers and sisters and is our second youngest. I see nothing wrong with it at all.

capsium · 03/12/2013 13:44

Well, better than having all Acton Men I would have thought. Women do exist.

Dress her as a soldier, that might confuse your DH? Grin

Original poster
MrsPeeWee · 03/12/2013 13:45

Haha!! "Catch the gay" - this was my point. You're absolutely right, DH is being a twat.

OP posts:
Mama1980 · 03/12/2013 13:45

No not at all, your dh is being a idiot.
My ds is also nearly 6 he has several barbie dolls, he loves them his favourite is a mermaid one.

Shannaratiger · 03/12/2013 13:45

I don't think it's a problem but I know DH would have a problem with me buying it for ds. luckily he has an older sister so not been an issue.

YouTheCat · 03/12/2013 13:45

Tell your dh that most of MN think he's a twat with issues.

Hope your ds enjoys his Barbie.

KatyN · 03/12/2013 13:46

buying him a doll is one thing, but a barbie EUGH!!!

(my son is only 2 but he has a doll. I realised I'd totally convinced my husb that gender stereotyping was mental when he came home with a pink toothbrush for our son).

Guiltismymaster · 03/12/2013 13:46

It's called role-play and it's good for their development.

What is your DH's reason for not wanting him to have one?

silverten · 03/12/2013 13:47

What is DH afraid of?

That he might grow up to be a Daddy?

NeoFaust · 03/12/2013 13:47

I (male) asked for a my-little-pony back when I was that age.

I turned into a drug addled bohemian , but I have a well paid job and loving girlfriend so it can't be all bad.

x2boys · 03/12/2013 13:47

not sure my dh would be happy with it but I don't see an issue with it my boys got a toy kitchen last year and the oldest got a hoover one year if its what he wants go for it.

Mumsyblouse · 03/12/2013 13:48

If you really think getting the doll is going to make your husband think twice, great. If all your son is getting is a doll but to be in the middle of a parental row and nothing changes, no so clever really. The fact that he forbids it would make me want to be defiant too but I'm not sure it's in your son's best interests (unless this is a very trivial thing in your relationship and it will be no big deal).

Aeroaddict · 03/12/2013 13:50

You awful awful parent, buying your DS a barbie. You do know it is the start of a slippery slope don't you? He will turn into a girl now, and it'll be all your fault! Hmm Grin

Mumsyblouse · 03/12/2013 13:50

And- it's quite funny everyone saying 'get a Barbie'- if you had posted you wanted your dd to have a Barbie, you would have got the opposite reaction and a lecture on body dysmorphia/female stereotyping. Barbies are only good if boys play with them on MN!

MrsLettuce · 03/12/2013 13:52

YWBU, IMHO. to buy any child a Barbie regardless of gender. But, it's absolutely not U to buy your son a doll, no. Have you seen Lottie?

MrsLettuce · 03/12/2013 13:53

x posts! Quite agree Mumsy.

OutragedFromLeeds · 03/12/2013 13:55

'Barbies are only good if boys play with them on MN!'

That's so true Grin. It also applies to anything pink.

If your DS wants a pink princess dress, you're doing a great job.

If your DD wants a pink princess dress, you've failed as a parent.

Original poster
MrsPeeWee · 03/12/2013 13:55

Mumsy - this won't cause a huge row over the breakfast table while DS sits next to us crying!

DH will get over it. He has no choice.

OP posts:
IceBeing · 03/12/2013 13:57

another vote for female doll = good, barbie = t3h 3v1l

YouTheCat · 03/12/2013 13:59

True, Barbie is a bit shit but if that is what he's asked for then that is what he wants - same if a girl asked for one.

Original poster
MrsPeeWee · 03/12/2013 14:00

EH? What on earth is this about?
Dolls V Barbies - he asked for a barbie, not a doll. Does it really matter whether a female or male child plays with a barbie?

OP posts:
OutragedFromLeeds · 03/12/2013 14:03

It's Mumsnet nonsense. If he wants a Barbie, get him a Barbie.

TantrumsAndBalloons · 03/12/2013 14:04

I don't like Barbie very much tbh. However dd, ds1 and ds2 had a few each. So I don't know if I failed because dd had one or succeeded as DS had 2 Grin

Ds1 also had a nice little my little pony collection. And an action man motorbike.

I don't think he turned into a girl. He is a 14 year old boy at the moment. He does have a lovely pink shirt though.

HairyPorter · 03/12/2013 14:05

Yeah I agree with comments about barbie being a bit crap. But then I'm not a fan of action men either. Plasticky unnatural looking things. Have no issues with dolls for boys or girls but would hesitate to get dd or ds a barbie!