Feminists, genitals and Mother Christmas.

[KatVonGulag]

"Sweet Louise 3" is concerned for our children. We apparently are obsessed with teaching our kids basic biological facts and therefore we are neglecting our children's Christmas wishes. Good logical leap there.

I feel almost guilty to inform "sweet Louise 3" that I've not only discussed Christmas with my kids, I've brought and wrapped their gifts. Yup. Leaving me more time to do things like get them to watch Trans Kids it's Time to Talk etc.

I've brought Jenni Murray's book for my mum and 2 besties. I love spending my money supporting people who've stood up against bullies.

Has anyone got any other ideas for GC feminist gifts? Anything good for teenage girls?

I'll have a think, but I do have to point out that my son is always far more interested in his penis than thinking about Father Christmas and it's nothing to do with anything I've said.

Does sweet Louise not realise how obsessed with genitals small children are? (Sample monologue from toddler years, delivered at full volume in a public place, natch: "Mummy, that dog's got a willy.... Mummy, I've got a willy haven't I?... Mummy, you haven't got a willy...")

Anatomy is fascinating to small children. And they understand the difference between boys and girls just fine (or at least they do until the gender unicorn comes to sprinkle the magic dust of confusion round their school if it's woke enough).

Oh my giddy aunt 😀

It must be incredibly difficult to only be able to think about or do one thing at a time

Maybe I shouldn't have laughed...maybe i should be sad that Louise spends 18 hours a day just talking about one thing

Dunno

Argh the grammar, spelling and grocer’s apostrophe

Things A Bright Girl Can Do by Sally Nicholls is my top pick suffragette book for teens, set in the historical period. It includes a lesbian girl (who is quite butch iirc and would certainly be transed these days!), and the characters are from different classes too, so lots to think and talk about. I really enjoyed it and so did my daughter.

Whilst I'm here, The Princess and The Suffragette by Holly Webb is great for younger girls (Y4-6), itsca sequel to A Little Princess but you don't need to have read that to enjoy it. And the large non-fiction book Suffragette: The Battle For Equality by David Roberts is lovely - gorgeously illustrated.

Thanks silentcrow

I thought I might buy series one of Father Ted too.

Little kids are really into their willies. I say little.....

Lewis needs a hobby. And to get out more.

It rather sounds like Louise hasn’t ever met a child.

Conversations with my children tend to cover Today’s school gossip, homework, the news, what x did at break this time, Miss Smith’s new jumper, the possibility of a sleepover, reminder that our library books are due, sports, their latest running times, you tube, a request for new guitar strings,the latest jokes, and a discussion of Brexit all in about 15 minutes.

We definitely have time to fit in some gender criticism and Christmas before dinner.

Probably the importance of reducing plastic and the destruction of the rain forest too.

You can bet they aren’t some cute blonde babe either

My 'children' are young adults - if I start discussing penises and vaginas with them I suspect they'll stage an intervention.

It rather sounds like Louise hasn’t ever met a child.

It does. Actual small children think the discussion of genitalia is the height of sophisticated conversation. They'd love it if their parents joined in.

Admittedly, mine are young adults now but the topic of festive conversation hereabouts is whether Christmas dinner should include mashed swede and carrot or carrot batons. My task is to adjudicate this argument before an epic sulk breaks out.

Who knew your kids could get this exercised about bloody vegetables?

(I don't care as long as there are sprouts.)

I think Louise is some mimmymummy fundamentalist type character.

What was right for your child Louise may not be right for every child.

Judging by her feed she loves mumsnet 😂

I can’t believe no-ones asked if Louise is on glue?

Thankfully now mine are older they too have got past discussing genitals and farts at the dinner table so they are free to concentrate on their lists.

silentcrow

Thanks for the recommendation for Suffragette. I think this may be included in my letter to Father Christmas this year.

Oh yes farts. Youngest DD and DS are very keen on fart battles right now. My house is like a festively fumigated ITV game show right now.

Pfff. Everyone knows Mumsnetters would discuss fanjos. Jeez.

LangCleg mine insist we have to have sprouts even though nobody eats them.

Actually if she really knew MNers she would have written penises and vulvas.

I can honestly say I’ve never discussed penisis [sic] with my child.

Mine won’t shut up about his penis. I wish he’d stop telling me about it*

*Disclaimer- he’s 2.