Hellobee Boards

Yes! Every time I suggest a toy that I think is gender neutral, my husband is quick to say no and suggest I buy trucks and trains. He is also pretty progressive but at the same time, he grew up on a farm with 3 brothers...so some of his gender stereotypes are engrained in him.

What I usually end up doing is I buy the stuff anyway and let my husband warm up to it... He usually knows I'm right anyway!

DH is all for buying DD a basketball hoop and other sporting toys taht might scream "boy" but I have a very stong feeling that it will be the opposite when/if we have a boy.

His mom tells the story of when she bought a play kitchen for her 3 boys and my FIL freaked out and made her keep it upstairs not where peopel could see it! It was their favorite toy growing up (and now my LO plays with it!)

@kiddosc: Does your husband know that E plays with a doll at daycare? Out of sight, out of mind?

Is the doll you're looking to get an actual girl? Maybe if you can find a boy doll that's dressed in a sports jersey your husband may be more open to it? I know there's a pirate doll out there!

What about a cool robot doll?

My husband likes to get E super girly things and I tend to lean towards the non-super girly toys.

My husband wants DD to be athletic and into sports (my idea of athletic is watching football and wearing my team's colors, while he's played competitive sports his whole life). However, he gravitates towards incredibly girly clothing and toys, while I'm far more gender neutral. I'm unsure how he'd be with a son, in this regard.

@kiddosc: lol! I really want to get that doll for my son. I think it's so cute. I think he's still a little young for it tho.

My husband is pretty great about this, but I know my dad was resistant to getting my nephew a play kitchen when he was little. My mom did it anyway, and it turned out to be one of his favorite toys. My dad occasionally makes remarks about my DS playing with "girl" toys, but I just remind him there's no such thing as gendered toys in our house. Some of DS's favorite things are the play kitchen and dress up box!

@mrskc: my parents got our son a kitchen for Christmas last year and when I had asked for it my dad said, "a kitchen?!? But he's a boy!!" I responded, "um...you're a boy and YOU cook."

I think it's vastly different (and inherently easier) for dads to accept that their girls play with trucks than for their boys to play with dolls.

@kiddosc: my son looooves his stuffies and he carries them around everywhere and gives them hugs, kisses and high fives.

@mrskc: We got that one for DS. It's very cute.

@kiddosc: My LO loves to play with dolls at daycare. DH let us get B a doll for home. I gave DH a few choices and he picked his favorite.

@swurlygurl: haha love that comic. I think there's truth in it - kids are practicing life skills while they play so why wouldn't we want everyone to practice everything!

It really bugs me that it's more acceptable for girls to play with things that are considered boyish but not vice versa. Fortunately my husband is on board with this notion, but I'd be really frustrated if he wasn't!

I asked my husband if we could get DS a kitchen when he's older, and he said of course. He said he draws the line at dolls though.
I don't care much for the notion of gendered toys, so I don't care what DS wants to play with.

I'd be pretty upset if my husband reacted that way (but I'm... flammable), but thankfully he and I agree on this one. Tools, dolls, cars, and kitchens for all!