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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

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Original poster

Inlaws are giving my daughter a vacuum cleaner for Xmas. Grrr.

58 replies

Daffolil · 03/12/2014 19:06

My partner has given me the heads up that our one year old daughter will be receiving a toy vacuum cleaner for Xmas from is mum. I have a lot of respect for her, she is remarkable woman in many many ways, but how on earth do I keep a lid on the fact that I think it's a really unimaginative and limiting gift!? (To her credit she's bought another one for her grandson too).

OP posts:
Messygirl · 03/12/2014 19:31

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

EvansOvalPiesYumYum · 03/12/2014 19:33

My own DC (boy and girl) had toy vacuum cleaners and lawnmowers. They both loved both of them, I think probably just because of the noise they made.

When I was doing the housework, they would both "help" with either of those toys.

pictish · 03/12/2014 19:36

What's the problem?

pictish · 03/12/2014 19:38

x posted sorry

It's a grand gift. x

EBearhug · 03/12/2014 21:30

DS loves his lawn mower. He brings it inside and pretends it's a vacuum cleaner.

I have been known to talk about vacuuming the lawn. It's basically the same chore, just inside and out.

TurnOverTheTv · 03/12/2014 21:35

I'm utterly failing to see the problem here, can you enlighten me OP? Smile

Heleng1982 · 03/12/2014 21:39

My middle son had a toy dyson he loved it my youngest ds now plays with it , kids love playing with things like that Smile

MissHJ · 03/12/2014 21:44

My son 15 months old would love a toy hover! He follows me around all the time when we get ours out.

Sootgremlin · 03/12/2014 21:48

My ds got one off his grandparents at 18 months ish because he was obsessed with them. Two years on he still gets it out most evenings to do the vacuuming with a Daddy. Baby dd loves watching them and will no doubt want to join in.

I don't see that a toy which promotes a child doing any sort of role play is limiting at all, as long as all types of role play are available to both sexes.

I think it is important to fight the little battles of feminism when making choices for our children, but this isn't one of them.

Apart from anything else, you as the parent can choose the gifts you want to influence the majority of her world and play, really other things just add to the picture, they don't dominate it if you don't want them too.

In 4 years when she's buying her Lego Friends then you have my full support Angry

Vivacia · 03/12/2014 21:48

I wouldn't worry, it sounds as though the title is, "Inlaws are giving their grandchildren a hoover for Christmas".

It's been a relief though, I thought you meant that your adult daughter's parent-in-laws were getting her a hoover for Christmas!

Sootgremlin · 03/12/2014 21:49

His daddy, obviously, not just any old daddy Blush ^

anothernumberone · 03/12/2014 22:07

I just bought Henry the Hoover for DS aged 3 for Xmas between that and the doll and buggy he got for his birthday he better turn out to be the most 50/50 partner in later years. He loves all that kind of stuff and it was his granny who suggested the Hoover since my nephew has one and loves it.

wakeywakeyteaandcakey · 03/12/2014 22:11

I bought dd one last year she loves it.

cary97fgC · 04/12/2014 07:56

Just get her a kitchen

DanaBarrett · 04/12/2014 08:02

My mum got laughed at 25 years ago for buying my brother a dustpan and brush and an iron for Christmas. He treasured them for years........

PureMorning · 04/12/2014 08:06

Aww ds1 loved his mini Dyson and cleaning trolley. He would follow behind helping me clean.

He 12 now and seems to of forgotten how a Hoover works

cary97fgC · 04/12/2014 08:15

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bronya · 04/12/2014 08:15

My DS would LOVE that - he likes to 'help' me clean/dust/hoover etc. Toddlers love to copy adults at that age.

As an aside, we received a Henry hoover from my MIL for xmas a few years ago. We had asked specifically for it and it's one of the best presents I've ever had. Used every day, works fantastically well and replaced a series of useless cheaper models that never did a reasonable job.

YonicScrewdriver · 04/12/2014 08:22

Well hello there, cary.

Do you often walk into places and tell people they are a bit shit five minutes after you've arrived?

How does that work out for you?

Knottyknitter · 04/12/2014 08:27

I used to follow ddad around the garden with one at that age. In a toddlers head it's not limited to being what it is....

TiggyD · 04/12/2014 09:18

They give vacuums to children regardless of sex. No problem. I hope they give them both toy drills next year.

Mozzereena · 04/12/2014 13:51

This is the novelty washing up brush my wonderful MIL bought me as a birthday gift. I always think of her fondly as I watch her son scrubbing the dishes with it.

Inlaws are giving my daughter a vacuum cleaner for Xmas. Grrr.
uutiruc · 07/12/2014 16:19

my nephew has a toy vacuum and he likes it, so what's the problem? Kids like playing with toy versions of things they see adults using

uutiruc · 07/12/2014 16:21

Maybe OP needs to take her feminist-goggles off, she seems to be seeing "sexism" where it doesn't exist

listed · 07/12/2014 16:29

My toddler was hoovering whilst wearing a princess dress this afternoon.

Evidently she's screwed when it comes to adult life choices Smile

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