An upset mom was left in disbelief after her husband told her that she cannot buy dolls for their son.
The mom asked Mumsnet for some advice after her husband started an argument about the toys that she was ordering for their little boy’s birthday.
Mumsnet is a London-based internet forum, created in 2000 by Justine Roberts for discussion between parents of children and teenagers.
Justine Roberts came up with the idea of a website to help parents pool information and advice.
In an anonymous post on Mumsnet, the woman explained that she was buying gifts for her son’s birthday when the dispute began.
“I’m just fuming about it right now,” the upset mom wrote. “It’s our toddler’s birthday soon and I’m ordering some presents. He got a toy kitchen for Christmas which caused an argument, and I’ve ordered him a toy shop and trolley for his birthday.”
“Dh kicking off that they are girly presents, why don’t we just get him some cars or a football,” she continued. “Admittedly he is vehicle mad, but he has hundreds of them. He doesn’t need more cars, trains… what’s girly about a shop? What does it even matter?!”
“Nursery said his favorite thing to play with there is a dolls house and he looked at me and said, “not happening!”
The mother says that she can’t understand why her husband won’t let their son play with the things he likes and asked if men’s personalities are really fragile.
“Just let the damn kid be happy! What is wrong with him?! Are men’s egos really that fragile? I shouted at him that he’s a 40-year-old grown man and needs to grow the [redacted] up,” she frantically added.
Mumsnet users quickly defended the furious mother and left comments condemning her husband for his outdated point of view.
“My son loved his baby doll and buggy that he got as a toddler, I’m sure many fathers push their children about in a buggy so what’s the difference?” one mother said. “Has your husband never shopped in a supermarket with a trolley before?”
“Is this the first time he’s shown himself to be a sexist ar*****e? Most normal men these days understand that gendered toys belong back in the 1980s, and it’s common practice now for parents to buy all kinds of toys for children,” another commenter said.
“He sounds like a doddery old grandad. It’d be quite the about-turn if this is his first admission he holds these views.”
“1 toys are toys and it doesn’t matter what kids want to play with,” another person added. “2 what is actually girly about a shop? Does he refuse to go to Asda as it’s too girly? Just stupid really!”
“If he can explain exactly what is wrong with a boy playing with a house or supermarket in a logical and non-sexist way then I’d say fair enough.,” a fourth one commented. “Say that and watch him flounder. As what he is actually saying is a. parenting and cooking is a woman’s domain and b. He wants your son to grow up with this view as well.”
“Your husband is an id***,” another mother has said. “When I was a kid I like playing with dolls and cars. It’s just a toy. Let your son play with what he wants.”
The unidentified mom replied to the comments saying: “he’s only ever acted so 1950s about Christmas and birthdays for toddlers!”
“I wouldn’t have married him if he was a se***t pig about everything!!” the upset mom replied. “I’m so angry about it, how can you begrudge a child joy over such outdated thinking.”
“He’s great around the house! Helps with washing, cooking, cleaning, shopping.. everything is 50/50!” she continued. “But his toddler wanting to play with a doll’s house? Blasphemy.”