Is my 6 year old strange?

hiddeneverythin · 21/10/2025 21:55

No - it’s just that generation are not outward-looking. Nothing strange at all

Finsburyfancy · 21/10/2025 21:56

I think you handled it really well. Of course he can play with whatever toys take his fancy. If she says it again I'd shut it down more firmly by asking why she thinks it's a problem that he plays with those toys and would she rather her grandson didn't pull his weight in a future household?

GeorgeClooneyshouldhavemarriedme · 21/10/2025 21:56

Is she 150 years old?

Take no notice. Let him play with whatever toys he wants to.

Deadringer · 21/10/2025 21:56

I would just say he takes after his dad.

TheendofmrY · 21/10/2025 21:56

You know fine he’s not. You’ve just not brainwashed him by the age of 6 into thinking he should choose toys based on what genitalia he has or that childcare and cookery are not something that boys and men don’t do. Well done!

Mandylovescandy · 21/10/2025 21:57

Mine love pink and sparkly things and used to love dressing up in dresses. They played with dolls and kitchens as well as cars and train and Lego. The only thing that bothers me if someone else would pick on them for it, like some school friends teasing them about the colour of their stuff. Don't care if anyone comments to me

DownThePubWithStevieNicks · 21/10/2025 21:57

It’s perfectly normal for a little boy to play with dolls and kitchens. It’s great that he hasn’t been subject to bad opinions telling him he shouldn’t.

Is your MIL very conservative? Did she bring your husband up with these sort of views? Is she homophobic? Not saying playing with dolls means your son will grow up to be gay but she might be thinking that.

wafflesmgee · 21/10/2025 21:57

She is being unreasonable

meganorks · 21/10/2025 22:00

I think it helps to remind yourself what an utter dick someone is being if they say something like that. Let him play with whatever he wants. And make it clear that saying stuff like that in front of him is not acceptable

Original poster

Namechabgeforthis · 21/10/2025 22:01

I think she was hinting about the gay thing and her comments were edging towards that. My husband thinks I should nip things in the bud now and that I encourage him to behave like this! He chose the baby doll himself and I got him a car seat for his doll when we go on journeys.

OP posts:

meganorks · 21/10/2025 22:01

I think it helps to remind yourself what an utter dick someone is being if they say something like that. Let him play with whatever he wants. And make it clear that saying stuff like that in front of him is not acceptable

Chickenhorse · 21/10/2025 22:01

I think the question is: Is my MIL strange? Because she thinks that boys can’t play with dolls or kitchens. The answer is yes OP. Your son however is perfectly normal.

FuzzyWolf · 21/10/2025 22:02

It’s quite normal. Don’t waste any further time thinking about it.

Noshadelamp · 21/10/2025 22:05

Namechabgeforthis · 21/10/2025 22:01

I think she was hinting about the gay thing and her comments were edging towards that. My husband thinks I should nip things in the bud now and that I encourage him to behave like this! He chose the baby doll himself and I got him a car seat for his doll when we go on journeys.

You can't nip "being gay" in the bud so there's no point even trying.

Let him play with whatever toys he chooses.

How on earth is a baby doll and kitchen "gay"? And even if he is gay, is that an issue?

Brightbluesomething · 21/10/2025 22:06

My son had a lovely wooden play kitchen. He’s not gay but he is a good cook now he’s an adult.
It’s your mum who has outdated gender ideas and I hope she didn’t say that in front of him.

Christwosheds · 21/10/2025 22:07

Namechabgeforthis · 21/10/2025 21:54

Came back from MIL’s home and I’m still seething about a comment she made: she basically said my son is funny (she meant weird funny) as he plays with dolls and has a kitchen. She asked me why he’s like that. I just smiled and said he’s caring and likes looking after his babies and he will be a wonderful father one day.

I just feel a little worried about her comments and really upset with her. Is my son strange? Did anyone also have sons who played with stereotypical “girl” toys? How did you manage comments? Did it upset you?

My big brother had a baby doll and I think maybe a doll’s pram. My Mum got a lot of negative comments about it, but ignored them all. This was the 60s, I can’t believe people still think this is an issue. He grew up to be very capable and a good Dad.
Lots of small boys like playing with toy kitchens and dolls.

SilenceInside · 21/10/2025 22:07

He’s not strange. Your MIL and your DH have really old fashioned sexist and homophobic ideas. That’s what needs “nipping in the bud” rather than your 6 year old’s normal play.

HappyNewTaxYear · 21/10/2025 22:08

My sons had a much-loved baby doll, a doll’s pram and a doll’s buggy. They’re big grownup lads now and have turned out completely normal. Your little boy sounds adorable. Let him play with what he wants, doubtless it’ll change soon anyway.

Also worth pointing out is that if he is going to be gay, restricting his choice of toys won’t stop that! Where do these people get their crazy ideas from 🙄

coxesorangepippin · 21/10/2025 22:08

No, your mil is

Birdwordie · 21/10/2025 22:10

My son is the same age and asks for his nails painted, likes to play cafe and role play being a baby etc. He used to have a baby before it randomly creeped him out. His favourite colours are sparkly and loves rainbows. I think its normal 6 year old behaviour, boy or girl. They're still so young it really hadn't crossed my mind there's something off with him. I think you should ignore such comments, you know in your heart there's nothing strange about your child so tell her to stick it next time

Thejoyofdecluttering · 21/10/2025 22:10

Perfectly normal from someone who has a six year old boy. There’s nothing strange about it.

cannyvalley · 21/10/2025 22:10

My son loved his baby doll. Carried it everywhere in a sling and was so kind and loving toward it. He also loved playing kitchens and pretend cooking.

he’s an adult now and a budding chef. And has always been a gorgeous, kind soul.

There is nothing wrong with children playing with toys. I would tell her to keep her opinions to herself x

Original poster

Namechabgeforthis · 21/10/2025 22:11

Thank you everyone! I’m feeling better . He is such a lovely little boy! He’s very caring and loving. I’m just going to ignore what she says but I just felt a little ganged up as DH said it’s my fault as I but him these things.

OP posts:

MarxistMags · 21/10/2025 22:12

Not strange at all. My son used to have a wee shopping bag when he was around that age.

Bluebottlerecycling · 21/10/2025 22:12

Does your DH never cook? Did he never push his son in a pram or change a nappy?

I have a DS and a DD, they both played with everything. Dolls, trains, dressing up, kitchens, swords etc

They both grew up to be perfectly “normal”.

Lots of wee boys would come to play at our house with the dolls, prams and kitchens, especially if they didn’t have those things at home.