Makeup for 8 year old/ in laws

[OurStepsWillAlwaysRhyme]

DD will be 8 soon and my mother-in-law has phoned me a couple of times to ask what she should get DD for her birthday and asking about her interests (they live far away so don't see her often). Each time, I've suggested modestly priced options which DD would love: a book about mythology, a CD of Matilda the musical (she has a CD player), any little craft set, etc. To my mind, perfectly normal interests for her age. But each time my MIL has tried to persuade me that DD should have some makeup. DD is not remotely girly, refuses lip balm even when her lips are dry, gets positively upset if I so much as paint my toenails and hasn't worn a dress in 2 years. Makeup is not her thing. But MIL keeps pressing the point with me and DH. Am I being unreasonable to find this weird? Is makeup really what most 8 year olds want? Is DD an outlier? I'm pretty sure she has zero interest in it, nor am I keen to encourage an interest, but I'm curious to know whether she's unusual in this

At 8 my DD wasn't the least bit interested in make up. That's so annoying that your mil won't just listen to what you've said she wants.

It might be that your MIl sees no children this age to know it's not something you buy or encourage (IMO) at this age.

Just explain that when she's a teenager and wanting to buy make up you'll let her know

She's totally normal, your ML is being weird about it. Possibly projecting the presents she was desperate for but not allowed?? Or perhaps she thinks you're forbidding the makeup and DD is desperate for it?

My DD is 12 and plenty of her friends still couldn't care less about makeup. Some people never do, it's hardly compulsory!

There will be many, many 8 year olds with zero interest in make up. Some might be interested but that doesn't change the fact that your daughter isn't, and shouldn't be made to feel that's odd. It isn't. I would say what you've said here and tell your MIL that it sounds like a present she wants to buy for her own satisfaction rather than to please her granddaughter.

My DDs are 33 and 25 and still aren't bothered about makeup @OurStepsWillAlwaysRhyme 😁(though the older one quite often has to wear it for work-related reasons).

Since MIL contacted DH for a second opinion, I'm letting him deal with her! It was just a very weird conversation; she harrumphed when I said DD liked Greek mythology, which I think of as a pretty standard enthusiasm for that age group.

If DD was really desperate for some makeup or skincare, I wouldn't make a massive deal of it and would be fine with her having something age-appropriate, but I'm certainly more comfortable with her actual request of a chemistry set.