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AIBU?

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Original poster

To buy my son a my little pony lunch bag?

124 replies

Pleasehelpme433 · 12/10/2018 13:56

My youngest son has ASD and just gone in to year 6. He has 2 obsessions which are minecraft and my little pony.

I bought him a minecraft rucksack and lunch bag for the start of term but he’s upset because several children have the same stuff and he wants something different.

He’s begging me to get him a my little pony lunch bag (even Googled it to show me on Amazon).

I’ve explained other children may make fun of him because it’s not a ‘boys’ lunch bag but he’s adamant he wants one and doesn’t care what anyone else says.

His Dad has said no way - I might as well put a target on his back saying ‘bully me’, but I’m more inclined to think if he really likes it so what? (I don’t mean so what to the potential bullying just so what- why should he have to conform?)

What would you do?

OP posts:
Thesearmsofmine · 12/10/2018 13:57

I would buy him one.

lornathewizzard · 12/10/2018 13:59

Definitely buy him one. It's what he wants.

And tbh the only way we're gonna change this ridiculous attitude about boys and girls toys/clothes is to not conform to it

SuperLoudPoppingAction · 12/10/2018 13:59

I would and indeed have done this.
Kid3 gets on fine with his sparkly pink notebook.

Mookatron · 12/10/2018 14:02

Buy it.

By the way, your husband needs to watch the documentary about 'bronies' - there are some very good reasons why plenty of adult men enjoy My Little Pony (not porn btw Grin).

NextInLine · 12/10/2018 14:04

Personally I wouldn't. I agree with your husband, unfortunately, sad as it is, there is a good chance he will be picked on for it.
It shouldn't be that way, but school can be a cruel place for some children.

KittensAndCake · 12/10/2018 14:04

It's tricky but I don't think I would. Year 6 can be brutal.

ThePinkOcelot · 12/10/2018 14:05

If he wants it, yes I’d get it for him.

ConciseandNice · 12/10/2018 14:05

Our middle son (now 19!), no asd, used to be passionate about Barbie. Totally loved all things Barbie. He was never bullied for it. Just get him the lunchbox.

notdaddycool · 12/10/2018 14:07

There's a bit of me that would buy him one and be ready for it to be dumped as soon as he says he wants something else. Alternitavely could you find a rarer minecraft one that other kids don't have, try different shops/ebay perhaps?

FishCanFly · 12/10/2018 14:09

Buy him one. Kids are more liberal these days than when their dads were at school

Theweasleytwins · 12/10/2018 14:09

There is a site on fb - craft, craft and more craft, maybe someone on there could make him a lunchbox with a male pony on (if his dad is that fussed) might be nice?

SPR1107 · 12/10/2018 14:10

I would buy him two, the my little pony one and a new minecraft one.... perhaps a personalised one online? That way nobody else would have the same as him. He can test out the my little pony one if he prefers, but if he comes home and decides he doesn't want to take it again, he has a back up

hungryhippie · 12/10/2018 14:10

I would 100% buy it for him

Original poster
Pleasehelpme433 · 12/10/2018 14:11

That’s great thanks for your ideas - love the comments about Barbie and sparkly pink note books 😂

OP posts:
AGHHHH · 12/10/2018 14:11

Unless people break the stereotypes then they will continue to exist. Not getting it for him will do nothing to help this.

Kids will only pick on him because they've been taught that pink is for girls and blue is for boys. It's sad. Nobody is born thinking that way.

I'd get it!

TheMobileSiteMadeMeSignup · 12/10/2018 14:11

There are lots of things he could be bullied for, should he just stop being himself in case? School should deal with any bullying, I know a lot of schools are shit at it but we'll assume this one is OK.

You are BU for telling him it's not a "boys" lunch bag. We love MLP in this house because it actually shows friendships that sometimes they annoy each other or they deal with jealousy and competition in a really healthy, good way.

SaucyJack · 12/10/2018 14:11

I think if he wants one, then he should be allowed to exercise his free will.

Lots of tweens and teens are quite right on these days anyway (obviously lots aren’t too), so depending on your school it may not be the huge issue you’re worrying about.

Plus, bronies are already a thing.

InstagramPork · 12/10/2018 14:11

It would be lovely if any kids could wear / dress how they want.
In reality your husband is right.

Soubriquet · 12/10/2018 14:13

Yes buy him one

Pinkie Pie is a favourite in this house....among my 3 year old ds AND my dh!

ItWentInMyEye · 12/10/2018 14:16

YADNBU! Buy oneGrinmy son has ASD and I'd buy him whatever bloody lunchbox he wanted if it meant he ate something from it.

ProfessorMoody · 12/10/2018 14:17

Buy it.

My NT Year 6 DS had an own clothes day last week and wore a pink MLP tshirt. No one cared.

DisrespectfulAdultFemale · 12/10/2018 14:18

He should have what his heart desires.

Firstbornunicorn · 12/10/2018 14:20

My 30 YO autistic BIL only wanted MLP comics for his most recent birthday.
Seems to be a completely acceptable thing for boys to be in to now.

Chocolatecoffeeaddict · 12/10/2018 14:21

No I wouldn't. Not in year 6. I'm not saying that this is right and the way things should be but he is highly likely to be picked on for this, especially by other kids that age. Of course he is free to like what he wants and there's nothing wrong with him liking My Little Pony, but you need to be tactical and avoid something that may cause him problems.

honeyskye · 12/10/2018 14:22

In MN world

Definitely. These stereotypes are only stereotypes because of social constructions and it wouldn’t matter if a girl wanted a Star Wars bag so why does it matter if a boy wants a my little pony one? My DS is 12, pink is his favourite colour and he has a flowery school bag and pink quilted coat and never gets bullied.

In the real world

Please don’t. Poor kid will be crucified.