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

[Daffolil]

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).

I think it's great!

Everyone has to learn to Hoover, plus kids are fascinated by hoovers

I've bought one for 2.5yr old ds this year - he tries to 'help' every time dh or I hoover. Kids love housework, it's a good thing to encourage I think - as long as it isn't encouraged more in one sex than the other, there's no problem there.

For the last 2.75 pages, I don't think anyone has had a problem, even the OP has said that she reacted first and then thought about it.

No need for bloody feminists, blowing things out of proportion now

Children like to push things. Lawn mower/vacuum/funny thing that blows bubbles that they will pretend is a vacuum even though you have never given them that impression

I think as she is buying one for the grandson I would give her feminist kudos.

However if on Xmas day someone sees them pushing their hoovers and remarks "mummy's little helper" to her then looks at him and says "look he wants to know how it works. He's going to be an engineer!" then you'll have something to complain about!

Seems to me that you are almost looking for a problem tbh. Are there previous issues with the inlaws? I think it is genuinely lovely that they are buying identical presents for their grandchildren, not looking for stereotypical boy/girl presents. Why do you have a problem with it, if they buy the same present for a boy and girl? There is blatantly no stereotyping.

uutiruc I am inclined to agree.

Why is no one bothering to RTFT?

This has all been covered.