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AIBU?

DS wants a Barbie dream house. AIBU to buy him one?

64 replies

ziggiestardust · 24/07/2014 17:05

DS is 3.5 and loves the Toy Story trilogy very much. He has all the toys apart from the Barbie and Ken (because they are really hard to get hold of!)

It's his birthday in 2 months, and I've been asking him what he would like. He wants the Barbie and Ken dolls from the movie, and also Barbie's Dream House, so they have somewhere to live.

He is going to pre school in September, and then will be going to school at the joining school, so the kids he's with then will be with him for a while.

I really want to buy him the things he's asked for, and he's been asking for a few weeks now and the list hasn't changed. However, I don't want to get judged by other mums when we have friends to tea, and nor do I want it to become a subject for bullying or teasing him with when he's older ("ziggieboy had a Barbie Dream House!" Etc)

What shall I do?

OP posts:

Report

MorphineDreams · 24/07/2014 17:10

I wouldn't give a toss what the other mums thought, get him what he wants that shouldn't even come into it. In regards to the bullying, would he even mention it to his friends?

ThursdayLast · 24/07/2014 17:11

If it's what will make him happy (and you can afford it!) go for it.
How other people react is not something you can control. I would hate to inadvertently teach my son that what other people think is a higher consideration than what makes him happy.

He sounds v enlightened

ziggiestardust · 24/07/2014 17:12

I mean when he has other kids over to play, or when he has his birthday party and invites his classmates, they're going to see it. You can't miss it!

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curiousgeorgie · 24/07/2014 17:12

If you're worried about the house being big and pink, how about a Barbie campervan or something instead? They can still live in it?

If it helps you though, my DD has the Barbie dream house and every single boy who comes over makes a beeline straight for it!!

ziggiestardust · 24/07/2014 17:14

thursday I haven't said anything other than "are you really sure?" Because I don't want to mention it being a girls toy or anything, in case it makes him feel ashamed.

I'm really pleased he felt able to ask for whatever he wanted, but realistically, the thing is bright pink, and sooner or later, someone is going to ask/make a nasty comment and make him feel shitty about it.

OP posts:

ThatWasNice · 24/07/2014 17:15

No one else would notice unless you told them .

Tbh I think it's a bit of a crap present for either sex child There must be some other toy worth getting from Toy Story

curiousgeorgie · 24/07/2014 17:15

Although... I've just looked at the camper and it's big and pink too... (Suddenly I need it! )

The thing is, I'd say get it (and mean it) but I can see why you're worried. It's sad that its somehow more acceptable for girls to play with perceived 'boys toys' but seems a bit risqué the other way around...

curiousgeorgie · 24/07/2014 17:17

ThatWasNice - kids really love it! It's the biggest 'hit' we've ever bought. Every single child from toddler to about 9 who comes here wants to play with it.

Koothrapanties · 24/07/2014 17:19

Op, I'm not having a dig at you at all, but I'm so fed up

sonlypuppyfat · 24/07/2014 17:19

I'm really odd about girl and boy toys a bit prehistoric if you like but he's only small if you've got the money and room why not.

ziggiestardust · 24/07/2014 17:20

that he has every other toy from the sodding movie

I think he enjoys the make believe aspect of it, copying what he sees at home and making the dolls 'talk'.

I also like the height of it and that it comes with lots of different accessories and it's quite detailed.

But it's a Barbie Dream House

OP posts:

Koothrapanties · 24/07/2014 17:20

...of these threads! I just wish people would buy their kids whatever toys they would enjoy, regardless of whether they are marketed at boys or girls. Just do what makes your kid happy!

ziggiestardust · 24/07/2014 17:21

koothra I don't understand? Fed up with what?

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KnackeredMuchly · 24/07/2014 17:22

I wouldn't give a monkeys, he clearly wants it so buy it

OorWullie · 24/07/2014 17:22

I don't really have an opinion on whether boys should have "girls" toys, but would he be happy with a more neutral looking house that barbie and ken could live in, if it is really the garish "pinkness" of it that you think could be a problem?

Maybe a wooden one? They look quite plain? If it's just that he wants barbie to have somewhere to live that might still suit him, unless he loves it because it is Barbie coloured as well!

ziggiestardust · 24/07/2014 17:22

koothra x post.

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ziggiestardust · 24/07/2014 17:23

He doesn't really have any other girly toys like that, but only because he hasn't asked.

He only wants it because it's in the Toy Story movie, that's the only reason. He wouldn't have asked for it otherwise.

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curiousgeorgie · 24/07/2014 17:24

I was just googling for a more neutral looking house but they're all for smaller sized dolls than Barbie...

littlemissbossyshoes · 24/07/2014 17:24

I would just buy him it my ds love my little pony and polly pocket just as much as his sister likes to play with cars and trains.

ziggiestardust · 24/07/2014 17:24

Can I just re spray it a more neutral colour?

OP posts:

Koothrapanties · 24/07/2014 17:25

Sorry my phone had a fandango! I wasn't just randomly letting out my frustrations on you.

curiousgeorgie · 24/07/2014 17:25

You could, but it's pretty detailed and has embossed 'B's on it..? It's going to take a lot of tape and time to get all the pink

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Florin · 24/07/2014 17:25

I would definitely buy it for him but maybe see if you can get a good one second hand. That way if when he goes to preschool and his tastes change and he is suddenly into more traditional boy toys you can sell it without much loss and buy his something else.
My son is only 2 but like you I am a firm believer in him choosing what he wants, however other peoples attitudes can be rediculous. My parents were appauld that I bought him a (navy blue) toy pushchair which he loves. They insisted a wheelbarrow would be much more suitable for a boy so insisted on buying him one. He likes the wheelbarrow but really loves the pushchair.

ziggiestardust · 24/07/2014 17:25

curious I like that it's big and that it fits the Barbie and Ken.

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NorksEnormous · 24/07/2014 17:25

My DS is 4.2, very into typical 'boys' toys - cars and dinosaurs mostly! If he went to a friends house who had that I honestly don't think he would think 'it's a girls' he would just see it as a toy! He often plays with his little sisters dolls house.

If anyone does say anything just say 'it's from toy story- since when was toy story just for girls?'

Children are children for such a short time, let them play with what they want.

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