Yesterday Bubbles and I went out for a Mother/Daughter day for a little pre-birthday celebrating. It’s been so cold we haven’t been able to go many places, but yesterday dawned sunny and in the 50s. She had a couple of birthday certificates for different places that had come in the mail, so I thought we’d use those, then see what the day brought.
We stopped by the mall first; I had a couple of stops I needed to make first, and then she was in charge of our itinerary. One of the certificates we had was for a free birthday cookie slice from Great American Cookie, so we picked that up. Bubbles loves watching the fountains in the middle of the mall, so we grabbed a spot on a bench and watched them while she munched.
With the mall and a cookie behind us, we dropped into Toys ‘R Us. They send out a small birthday gift card if you’re part of their email list, so she was going to be surprised with getting to choose a little treat to take home. Plus getting to spend time in a toy store is fun for anyone, right?
While we were there, Bubbles found a Thomas the Train table set up with all kinds of tracks and tunnels and hills, with lots of trains set out to play with. She absolutely loves vehicles right now – trains, trucks, planes, boats, cars – and so she was thrilled to see the set up. I let her play for quite awhile, until some other kids showed up and wanted a turn.
I shared with her that she was going to be able to pick out a little something, so we walked around and looked at some of her favorite characters and toy-types. I think they were in the middle of a merchandise switch because there were some fairly empty shelves, but we did find a few things. After talking her out of a Disney Planes diecast (she’s getting it for her birthday Saturday) she chose a Rowdy dump truck (from Chuck and Friends).
When we reached the checkout I handed the lady the truck and the birthday card, then paid the difference. She put the truck in a bag and handed it to me. I, in turn, asked Bubbles if she wanted to carry the bag or if she wanted me to.
“Oh, that’s for her? If I would have known, I would have given it to her. I thought it must be for your son.”
I have to admit, the comment kind of surprised me. I realize that there’s still some “pink is for girls, blue is for boys” that goes on, but had she never met another girl that plays with trucks? Even back when I was a kid, I had more trucks than dolls, and that was before my brothers came along.
It’s not that Bubbles is a straight-up tomboy. She loves princess crowns and glittery lip gloss and pink sneakers – all of which she had been wearing earlier that morning, actually. But she also likes things that go vrooom and I love that duality in her personality, that she can easily go from dressing up her dolls to playing with plastic bugs and dinosaurs and back again. Don’t we all want our kids to have varied interests?
Would you be surprised by a girl playing with a truck?
About Liza
Liza is a mom (5-year-old daughter, 20-year-old stepson, and 24-year-old stepdaughter) and wife living in Louisville. She loves spending time with her family, visiting the local zoo and parks, as well as planning travel adventures. Cooking and baking, DIY projects and crafts, and coffee - lots and lots of coffee - round out some of her other hobbies.
No way! When I was little I was way more into Hot Wheels and He-Man than several other girly toys. I also adored my Barbies. I think it’s great for kids to have an interest in all things!
Both my kids played with trucks when they were little. I did too, actually.
Kind-of. I wouldn’t be surprised with her playing with one, I do think it’s a bit weird to see a mom buying a truck specifically for a girl, though. Nothing wrong with it, it would just cause me a second glance as well. Just like I’m sure people would look at me twice if I was buying a doll for my household of 4 boys.
Not at all! My daughter is so ungirly. She never played with Barbie dolls or wanted princess stuff. It was all about Pirates and Space Stuff around our home when she was little. Even now she runs at the sight of pink and I think the only dress she owns is a cosplay one
I wouldn’t be, but in my house, dolls go for rides in the Tonka trucks and dolls play with action figures and stuff. my son’s lovey is a baby doll named Jacob. if a toy is fun, it’s fun. period.
happy birthday bubbles!
I think it’s great that she has such a wide range of things that she likes to play with. I’m actually really hoping that Kayleigh doesn’t turn out to be a “girly girl”. I never was one myself, and I find it really hard to relate to those that are. I own 3 pairs of shoes, all of which are very practical – sneakers, snow boots, and black dress shoes. I haven’t even had a purse in over a year! I used to love playing trucks in the dirt with my boy cousin who is 2 months older than me, and was never into dressing up or painting my nails or anything like that. I hate that there is such a stigma as to what toys kids should play with based on their gender. I don’t think there is anything wrong with a boy playing with a doll, either! Maybe he’ll grow up to be a loving father and husband because of it! Kids should be allowed to use their imaginations and play with the toys they want to play with.
My daughter asked for a Hot Wheels set last year for Christmas and that was it. It was the only thing she wanted. This from the pink wearing, stuffie loving Cheerleader. Varied interests are good
I grew up with 4 brothers and 4 sisters. I played with EVERYTHING! I loved playing with girl toys but loved the stereotypical boy toys too. My daughter gets cars and trucks to play with as well as dolls, dresses and kitchen toys. So, no it doesn’t surprise me at all.
I wouldn’t even think twice about it. Honestly! Even if I did, I wouldn’t make a comment like that. It was pretty rude!
WOW! That is SILLY for her to say that. Maybe I know better because I am an early childhood teacher, but really, who says that??
I would not be surprised to see a girl play with a truck and I would encourage it. I would not be surprised to see a boy play with a doll. And I would encourage that too.
Nope! Why not! I think kids outgrow these things like my 3 year old son playing with his sisters dolls yes it’s a bit odd but I think these things prepare them for life.
My daughter used to make her pre-school boyfriend dress up as Sleeping Beauty so she could be the prince and save him- I definitely wouldn’t be surprised to see a girl playing with a truck.
Her proper response should have been “I think it is wonderful that you allow your daughter to expand her imaginative play with whatever toys she chooses. Too many parents get into a mindset that their girls have to play with dolls and boys have to play with trucks.”
That sounds like a fun day! As a little girl, my favorite show was the A-Team, I loved BA! After all, those were my initials too:)
I had more hot wheels than dolls for most of my childhood! I would be surprised by that comment as well.
My girls love trucks!
I wouldn’t, growing up I played with “boy toys” and my little girls love Legos, Avengers and trucks.
Your DD is adorb!
She is so adorable. I think they go in phases, at least mine did. Sometimes they were more into cars and other times princess stuff. I think it’s great that they are open to different toys and things to play with!
My girl likes to play with boy toys and vice versa! I think it’s nice that everyone likes to play with everything!
I’m a little surprised that a toy store clerk would make that assumption. Maybe it was her first day? My daughter loves trucks!