To think that muted pastel baby toys that cost about X5 the price of the average are a waste of money and a bit pretentious?

[FreesiaFairy]

Have noticed that some mums seem to only tolerate muted pastel baby toys from brands such as Little Dutch or Liewood, that usually cost about X5 the price of the average for that toy, is this a first time mum thing?

I like to think I have good taste and appreciate good quality, but it's starting to annoy me how snobby some people are about kids toys, surely at some point they are going to have to break free of the muted pastel colour palette? I think Instagram might have quite a lot to do with it.

I get most of my little ones toys second hand and as long as he finds it fun don't massively care what it looks like. I feel like I'm getting judged on my taste for this!

BeHappyAndSmile

but that was in reply to nasty posts, my original point was not in that tone at all.

That's the point, people start to attack others and get cranky when someone doesn't let them get away with it.

I didn't call anyone a bitch for judging my choice of buggy or the colour of the nursery?

I was reminiscing the other day about a beautiful, but useless baby bouncer I bought because it went with our decor 😂 oh, how I laugh sometimes at the old me.

Some people are all about the aesthetic and will pay through the nose for it - but you know what, if the children are loved, cared for & played with I don't care what colour their toys are.

Ok @misspattylacosta I apologise for saying that you sound like a bit of a bitch. I just thought

If you are one of the lazy parent allowing your toddler to wear a snowsuit in a heatwave or a summer dress in the snow, then what can I say?

sorry I touched a nerve with you and you are one of those mums!

I did feel sorry for the parent of young kids who seemed to be dressed completely randomly with clashing colours etc.. as I always assumed they were too overwhelmed and the house was a tip so I was really sympathetic,
until I read on MN that it was supposed to be a fashion statement 😂

I just thought you sounded particularly unkind in these statements. Why the laughing emoji after the fashion statement bit if you wasn't being unkind?

I know what you mean OP. My SIL had a (very nice) muted pastel ball pool for her daughter and commented that ours was 'garish' (standard red, green yellow - you know the type of thing) in comparison. But I thought bright colours were meant to be stimulating for babies? She also had a playmat which was very nice and matched her decor, compared to mine which came free in the baby box (Scotland) and when I googled it, it was £150! For a baby playmat!

But she likes everything just so, which is fine, and I'm not arsed. I've got three children aged five and under and simply don't have the time or energy to attempt to match their toys to my interior decor.

As to clothes she also comments on those because I dress my children for comfort really, you know, because they are little kids and like running about! I don't think they need to look smart or match in general day to day life. Her little girl is always crying and is quite a miserable child when we meet them outdoors but I'm convinced it's because she's in little dresses with bare legs which look nice but aren't very practical for a Scottish park.

And to the poster who thinks kids don't choose their clothes, even my 18 month old has a par of shoes that she is obsessed with and wants to wear with everything!

@misspattylacosta

BeHappyAndSmile

but that was in reply to nasty posts, my original point was not in that tone at all.

That's the point, people start to attack others and get cranky when someone doesn't let them get away with it.

I didn't call anyone a bitch for judging my choice of buggy or the colour of the nursery?

No but you then lowered yourself and called people lazy parents etc. I replied to your first comment as well as it shocked me that you would immediately assume someone was struggling, I didn't name call or attack you, in fact no one did until you became goady. You can't start the aggressive comments and then complain.

The upside of the more expensive toys clothes and accessories is they hold value, reselling really well.
My friend bought a 3rd hand bugaboo in perfect condition.

NerrSnerr

I meant it in the way you would describe confusing a random shopper with an employee and asking them a question, or possibly giving some change to someone mistakenly believing they were a beggar.. situations when you would think you were a bit of a knob, and you are the one looking stupid!

(but then it's MN so someone will now be offended saying that I comparing new mothers with beggars, which I am not, but you can't win!)

My original post was just laughing at myself for making the wrong judgement (again, a thought, not starting a thread over it!). It's not like I said I would avoid these parents, more like offering them a cup of coffee in the playgroup thinking they would need one...

The upside of the more expensive toys clothes and accessories is they hold value, reselling really well.

That’s not always the case. After two kids I doubt I could pay anyone to take away our bugaboo. 😳

You can pay a company to clean your buggy and make it look brand new. Worth it for more expensive items that you can resell at near-cost price!

Gainsboro, Light grey and Silver too,
Dark grey and Dim grey and Slate.
I can sing a rainbow grey scale, sing a grey scale.
Aren't the greiges great!

@mistermagpie

I know what you mean OP. My SIL had a (very nice) muted pastel ball pool for her daughter and commented that ours was 'garish' (standard red, green yellow - you know the type of thing) in comparison. But I thought bright colours were meant to be stimulating for babies? She also had a playmat which was very nice and matched her decor, compared to mine which came free in the baby box (Scotland) and when I googled it, it was £150! For a baby playmat!

But she likes everything just so, which is fine, and I'm not arsed. I've got three children aged five and under and simply don't have the time or energy to attempt to match their toys to my interior decor.

As to clothes she also comments on those because I dress my children for comfort really, you know, because they are little kids and like running about! I don't think they need to look smart or match in general day to day life. Her little girl is always crying and is quite a miserable child when we meet them outdoors but I'm convinced it's because she's in little dresses with bare legs which look nice but aren't very practical for a Scottish park.

And to the poster who thinks kids don't choose their clothes, even my 18 month old has a par of shoes that she is obsessed with and wants to wear with everything!

I have to admit when I was buying clothes for my little one before he arrived I got quite a few nice outfits, including jeans then he arrived and hasn't worn any of them because I realised I was being silly and if I was sleeping and lying around all day I wouldn't be wearing nice clothes I'd be in the comfiest thing possible so so should he. (The exception being a shirt and velcro bow tie for Christmas which went on for a photo and promptly got vomitted on 😂)

@Donitta

My child has a monochrome room and I don’t see why we should have to live in a pigsty just because we reproduced. Friends talk about how they can’t have nice ornaments because their DC would play with them and break them, and I’m like - Just discipline your child and say no? 🤷‍♀️

Colour does not equal pigsty. Also, my DC were well behaved and generally didn't break stuff, but even so accidents happen.

And monochrome in your DC's room? They aren't you, and will have different likes and dislikes. My DC have had their choice of colour in their rooms since they were small. It's their space, and choosing colours made them happy.

YANBU because pastel colours are not as easy for babies to focus on, especially shades of grey!

she only lets her children wear an extremely limited range of clothing colours - mainly white, black, grey, navy. Occasionally a single small item in a scandi trend colour like mustard yellow or rust. No primary colours whatsoever, no pictures. Only stripes etc

That’s how I dressed mine over 40 years ago. Now I’m buying for grandchildren and choosing the same. It’s quite hard to find clothes that aren’t covered in dinosaurs or unicorns, why would anyone want those?

why would anyone want those?

Have you met any toddlers?

I blame Instagram! Stacey Solomon's 2 yr old son has a black, white and grey room! So bland!

@TheKeatingFive

why would anyone want those?

Have you met any toddlers?

Yes, the toddlers I know don’t care.

It’s quite hard to find clothes that aren’t covered in dinosaurs or unicorns, why would anyone want those?

Why not? I would say that 50% of the tops my 4 year old owns has dinosaurs on it because he likes them. Why wouldn't I want them?

the toddlers I know don’t care.

And so all don’t?

My almost three year old chooses what he wants to wear. Dinosaurs are always first choice.

@TheKeatingFive

the toddlers I know don’t care.

And so all don’t?

My almost three year old chooses what he wants to wear. Dinosaurs are always first choice.

Oh give over! You were the one who asked me if I knew any toddlers. If that isn’t assuming they’re all the same, I don’t know what is!

Oh give over! You were the one who asked me if I knew any toddlers.

Your initial post said ‘why would anyone want those?’

Honestly, you really couldn’t fathom?

@misspattylacosta

Why would you assume someone's house is a tip just because their child wasn't dressed in matching clothes? confused Surely the more logical assumption (if any were to be made at all) is that most children go through a stage of wanting to choose their own clothes.

because when you put random items, it looks like you grab anything clean from the pile of clean laundry!

Toddlers don't choose their own clothes 😂

Mine did, a lot of the time. Especially DD, who had a distinct preference for green.

Why shouldn't toddlers choose their own clothes?

The only good reason is if you're more bothered about a child looking a certain way than you are about allowing them to exercise a bit of agency/choice.

I’ve never heard of either of these brands. Please don’t let your view on motherhood because coloured by what others on Instagram say of do.

I’m quite proud of the fact that my DS is two and I’ve never bothered with parenting Instagram accounts! (Mainly because I think they’re incredibly exploitative of the children, but also because I don’t think you need tips on which toys children need...)

That’s how I dressed mine over 40 years ago. Now I’m buying for grandchildren and choosing the same. It’s quite hard to find clothes that aren’t covered in dinosaurs or unicorns, why would anyone want those?

there are loads, Primark, H&M, Next, M&S
You really don't have to be stuck with garish colours if you don't want to, and children are just as happy and comfortable.

There's a happy medium: YOU buy the clothes, they choose from you have bought. Problem solved.

There are other ways to express their individuality .