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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that Lego is a good Christmas present?

56 replies

MarioandLuigi · 17/12/2009 13:27

MIL phoned yesterday and asked what DS would like for Christmas, I said I would think about it, I asked DS and he showed me some more Lego he would like (He is a Lego Nut and I dont have a problem with it)

MIL rings back this morning and I tell her what DS has asked for, her exact words were 'Oh Lego, its not very educational is it, maybe I will get him some books instead'

I then replied back that DS would like them and would now kind of be expecting them, to which she replied that I should buy them if I wanted to buy presents like that.

She said it in such a sneery tone, anyne would think I was asking for crack.

I know lego isnt as educational as a book, but I do think it helps certain skills, like following instructions and imagination etc.

AIBU?

OP posts:
Miggsie · 17/12/2009 13:28

YANBU....DD wants the lego train set...I can't see what is wrong with lego as an Xmas present...

Itsjustafleshwound · 17/12/2009 13:30

YANBU - does she know what Lego is? Why did she even ask you if your suggestion was rejected?

ChickensHaveNoTinsel · 17/12/2009 13:30

YANBU. MY DS's both adore Lego, and I think it's very educational. It teaches coordination, problem solving, how to follow instructions, sharing () etc. Let her sneer, and remind her of her comments if he becomes an engineer, architect, builder etc

epithet · 17/12/2009 13:30

How is Lego uneducational? It helps with co-ordination, spatial awareness, design and engineering skills.

And not every book is 'educational' either.

What's wrong with just having fun with your Christmas present anyway?

YANBU.

IdrisTheRedNosedDragon · 17/12/2009 13:32

Lego is an excellent Christmas present. DS will be getting a lot

bumpybecky · 17/12/2009 13:32

yanbu

lego is very creative. It teaches about building design and construction. I'm sure all the best architects and civil engineers start with lego

IsItMeOrSanta · 17/12/2009 13:32

Lego is educational. She sounds like a misery guts. Get your DH to talk to her.

5Foot5 · 17/12/2009 13:35

YA definitely NBU.

Lego is a brilliant present and yes I think it is great for the imagination.

When DD was younger we got her alot of the Harry Potter lego, including the Hogwarts Castle. On Christmas Day we all spent hours making the castle and then for a while she was a bit scared to play with it becasue she thought if it came to bits it would take her hours to "mend" it.

Eventually it did come to bits and then when she was no longer trying to build the "proper" castle she started to invent all her own scenes and ideas. For months and months and more she played with it and was always devising new stories to act out with it.

Original poster
MarioandLuigi · 17/12/2009 13:35

She asks every year and whatever I suggest we end up with something else.Maybe I should learn and not bother asking DS.

Last year we were doing his bedroom in a dinosaur theme and everyone chipped in as Christmas presents, paint, curtains, rug etc. I asked her to get a bedding set and when DS opened it on Christmas day it was completely the wrong set. She then announced that she thought the other set was very good because it wasnt 100% cotton, so she has bought twee cartoon zoo animals instead.

I think the other problem is that she doesnt understand his age, he is 8 but for his birtday she bought him 'Each Peach Pair Plum', which is a great book, but not for an 8 year old.

OP posts:
TheInvisibleManDidIt · 17/12/2009 13:36

Lego is brilliant! The lego games are great too.

It lasts years (parents still have all my old lego for when boys visit), and you never grow out of playing with it.

MrsMattie · 17/12/2009 13:37

YANBU. Lego is educational. It encourages imaginative play and the development of fine motor skills. Your MIL doesn't know what she's talking about.

Miggsie · 17/12/2009 13:38

Perhaps you could ask her to get a book on sex and reproduction...that would be educational

nannynobnobs · 17/12/2009 13:38

She sounds like an old boot. Buy her a socket set for Christmas and tell her it's a 'useful' present.

GeeWhizz · 17/12/2009 13:40

Why does she bother asking if she is not going to buy what your DS wants?

The Lego will be played with far more than a book.

HeffaMerryChristmas · 17/12/2009 13:43

YANBU. Lego is a fantastic present. DH has loads of it and it inspired him to become a civil engineer. He's desperate for DD to be old enough for it.

LouLouH · 17/12/2009 13:43

If she wanted to slate what you requested then why bloody ask?!

Lego is a great toy and my OH even at 25 still loves playing with lego with our DD. I think it helps with other skills (imagination, co-ordination, following instructions) all things that are good to learn. Tell her to stop being such an old biff! Its the 21st century!

What kid wants books for Christmas, like they don't get them enough throughout the year.

Heqet · 17/12/2009 13:44

tell her that lego develops eye-hand co-ordination.
teaches children about construction and design.
encourages creativity and problem solving
develops fine motor skills
teaches children to think 3-dimensionally
and it's imaginary play which is linked to social and language skills

LizzyLordsALeaping · 17/12/2009 13:46

My boys love their Lego (and have DH's old lego as well), it has been the most played with toy all year. They got it for Christmas last year.

that it isn't educational, it is and DS1's school teacher has actually recommended that they play with construction type toys such as Lego.

She sounds bonkers

RnB · 17/12/2009 13:47

YANBU - Lego is fab. We have loads of it all over the floor

Original poster
MarioandLuigi · 17/12/2009 13:49

She seems to ask me every year so that she can judge what I ask for (thats my opinion anyway)

What makes me laugh is that for his fourth birthday she bought him a massive Mecano type thing that was way too old for him at the time.

It takes allsorts I suppose - luckily we have bought DS the Lego Police station and Lego townhouse, and santa has bought him a helicopter.

OP posts:
2babyblues · 17/12/2009 13:52

YANBU - Lego is really great. I do actually find it quite challenging myself when I help my son construct it!!!! She sounds like she just wants to disagree with you.

juicy12 · 17/12/2009 14:13

Lego's great. And v educational - good for fine motor skills, coordination, imagination, working together, concentration and it's FUN! I find some of the Bionicles 7-16 stuff really tricky....

Morloth · 17/12/2009 14:16

Lego not educational? Madness, you should see some of the creations the boy comes up with!

Great stuff, I still enjoy a good lego session.

Acinonyx · 17/12/2009 14:19

Dd's main present this year (she 4) is a large lego set! We are a very book-overloaded household and she will get lots of books too. But the books are such a constant feature of our lives they are almost not proper presents. But a stupendous box of leg (large enough to satisfy dh as well) is not something you get any other day! Silly mare.

Acinonyx · 17/12/2009 14:20

legO even