to feel bad for getting dd a BLUE bike?

[AliceTheCamelHasGotTheHump]

Dd is 2.8. She doesn't really understand about Christmas and Father Christmas, but is starting to get the idea, even if she's a bit confused about some aspects.

Well, Dp and I thought that a bicycle would be a great Christmas present for her. We sounded her out, and she was keen on the idea. We went to Toys R Us and chose a cute little turquoise and green bike with dinosaurs on it. On Christmas morning, she got up to find a BRAND NEW SHINY BICYCLE under the Christmas tree!!!

She was delighted.

Except... quite a few times since, she has come for a quiet cuddle and with a wobbly little lip asked me why Father Christmas brought her a blue bicycle? Why didn't he know that she would like a pink bicycle?

I've tried selling the blue / green one ("because your eyes are beautiful and green and they match!" / "because FC wanted it to match Ariel's beautiful tail!" / "Because you've got so much pink stuff that a BLUE bicycle would be SPECIAL!") but no dice.

I feel really bad, because I bought her a blue bicycle because I don't like the bubblegum pink saturation of small girls. If I had spent a millionth of a second's thought on what dd would like I would have bought her the sparkliest, pinkest, ribbonyest, garishest, bubblegumiest bicycle in the city.

But I didn't think of dd. I got all high-horsey and thought Small Girls Shouldn't Be Gender Steriotyped. And Grrrr To The Disneyfication Of My Daughter. And If I Buy Her A Blue Bike She Will Be A Lawyer For Human Rights, But If I Buy Her A Pink Bike She Will Be A Nail Technician.

I am crap. Crap crap crap. I feel crap.

She's not being a brat. She's very pleased to have a bicycle. She's just so sad that Father Christmas didnt care enough to get her a pink one. When she thinks about it she gets tearful.

Before anyone gets all cross with her for not being grateful, I'll repeat that she's only 2.8. She doesn't really understand much of what's going on.

Dp and I are considering swapping it for a pink one and saying that FC made a mistake and came back to fix it. We can afford to swap it, and put the blue dinosaur bike away until ds needs it in a couple of years from now.

I can't quite get past the idea that we're being heinously soft and over indulgent and are raising a horrible spoiled brat by swapping it. I thought I'd see what MNers think.

(I know I'm in AIBU, so please tell me straight, but don't be too mean!)

Oh good! I was wondering how this would turn out!

Awww!

Yayaya. Now they are tears of joy!

LOL at 2yo stream of consciousness. That goes on for a while IME as well Alice!

Oh, that's nice

Maybe DS should get a sparkly pink one in due course...

I see from the last few posts that I've come to this thread a bit late, however, my ds1 (aged 15) has just come and read this thread over my shoulder, before setting off for his paper round on his bike. He is fanatical about his bikes (he loves stuntbike riding on skate ramps and is currently perfecting his 360degree somersault - I have A&E on speed dial).

He thought that the 'pink my ride' option was a good one, and told me to tell you that you can get a disc brake for bikes from a company called Hope. They did a special one sold in aid of Cancer Research, and it's not only pink but flowery too! He did agree that it might not be suitable for a 2-3 year old's bike, but might be useful later......

I should have known that my single-issue fanatic of a son would know something like this!

Anyhow - I am glad that this story has had a happy ending and your dd is happy with her bike - and I am equally sure that if you had changed it, it wouldn't have made her spoiled - you sound like a very good parent, and doing this once definitely wouldn't have been the end of the world.

She can save up her frustrated pink ness for adulthood.

I always got practical presents as a child (not much money and my Dad is an engineer). In fact even as an adult I get practical presents- new house - present from parents = cordless dril.

I do however ahve the biggest collection of pink stuff ever (including a pink stethoscope - I'm a doctor) and am in the process of buying a pink bike (at the age of >30)....

I always got - and get - practical presents from my family. Consequently, after having my children and becoming Santa, I insist on NOTHING that would be of any real value or use. My Christmas presents this year were almost entirely jewelry, jewelry paraphernalia, make up, perfume and other small fripperies. I was thrilled..
Oh and my dad paid for a week on the east coast this summer, for me and the kids. God love him.

Everyone knows blue bikes are faster.

gasman, LOL at

"(including a pink stethoscope - I'm a doctor)"