WWYD - Boys and Barbies

Jcubed2003

DS loves to play with Barbies any chance he gets. I think this is because he doesn't have them at home. MIL make a huge deal out of him ONLY playing with Ken. I have tried to explain to him that he can play with Barbies anywhere he wants EXCEPT at Grammy's house. She got very upset when he was outside with a Barbie during a party recently. She even said that his girl cousins play with his toys because they don't have them at their house. Not sure what else I can do here. What do you ladies think? Thanks! 

egpitt22

This is the kind of stuff that gets me so heated, I can't even see straight.  I have no advice for you, because the words that I would choose to want to say to her are probably not what you're looking for.
@-)

sundaygirl

What do I think?  I think your MIL is a close-minded idiot.  What else can you do?  That really depends on your relationship with your MIL and how important the issue is.  Me - I would explain to my MIL, calmly, and not in front of DS, that it's very important to me that he be allowed to play with whatever toys he likes without judgement and ask her to please do the same.  And she'd try to do it, even if it goes against her line of thinking.  But that's my situation - you know your MIL best.

MrsAmers

Remind MIL again that DS can play with whatever toys he wants. I know this sucks, but my MIL has finally relented a little after years of talking about boy toys and girl toys.

And honestly, if he likes Barbies that much, you could buy one that he can play with at home. That way maybe it will be less enticing to play with them in front of Grammy to avoid some drama. But even if that doesn't work, just keep reminding your MIL that there is NOTHING harmful about him playing with Barbies!

Jcubed2003

I wish I had the kind of relationship where I could have a calm conversation with her about this. There is too much history with all parties involved and we just aren't in that place. Blargh. 

kris356

Your MIL would have had a heart attack at my house growing up, my brother had his own dolls and played house and barbies all the time! He has grown up to be a responsible adult with a wife and baby. He is also very good at changing a diaper.

I agree with Erin, I think she summed it up perfectly.

sundaygirl

Maybe you could get your husband to talk to her if she's more receptive to that.  I like Amy's idea of giving him a Barbie to play with at home.  I think our sons are the same age - 5, right?  If you can't change MIL's behavior, I would explain to him that people have different views on things and don't have to agree all the time.  Start to instill that sense of following his own instinct...

Jcubed2003

Yes, he will turn 5 in December. I really appreciate all of the input. I do have conversations with him about folks having different views. There was a teachable moment at his soccer practice a while back involving a child with autism. He is handling that situation so very well, that I have high hopes for him that this Barbie thing won't turn into anything.