My friend's child, when you ask him what he's been eating, says "cat"
not because he has been eating cat. or he wants to. but because cat sounds funny to him.

Next week, something else will sound funny. It's not a "taste or a preference" unless parents are projecting a "ooh, look how advanced little Martha is, she knows she likes Jimmy Choos already" attitude.
( the mighty badger Aphrodite, on a bar stool, by your side, Tue 20 Aug 2013, 10:39, 2 replies, latest was 12 years ago)

that's one child
my nephew didn't give a fuck what he ate or wore (unlike now, when he's totally fashion conscious, bloody essex). but his sisters have had very clearly stated preferences since they were very young indeed. kids are all different. of course they don't know the difference between jimmy choos and clarks. but they certainly know the difference between cute pink shoes and boring brown ones!
( rachelswipe with a fork, Tue 20 Aug 2013, 10:43, Reply)

gah. You are missing the point.
they don't have taste at two in the way you are projecting it, because they are incapable of understanding it in the way you present it. It's projection from adults - you give her pink things from day dot because you want her to be a princess, she obliges.
( the mighty badger Aphrodite, on a bar stool, by your side, Tue 20 Aug 2013, 10:48, Reply)

no no no no no
they know what they like. they are, of course, incapable of understanding why, or what it means, etc. but they know what they like to look at. i took my friend's 3 year old to hamleys the other week. her parents are quite keen on gender neutral toys, and so far her favourite things are play-doh and a fake phone. 2 mins in hamleys, and she's clutching a pink hello kitty doll and a barbie. her dad was disgusted with me!
( rachelswipe with a fork, Tue 20 Aug 2013, 10:51, Reply)

they like it because you want them to like it.
Consiously or subconsciously.

I bet if she'd gone round Hamleys with me she'd have come out with a toy car or something.
( the mighty badger Aphrodite, on a bar stool, by your side, Tue 20 Aug 2013, 10:54, Reply)

bugger off, i was pushing her towards the remote control helicopter that also climbed vertical walls!
barbie, my arse.

i am so getting the nephew one of those helicopters for christmas.
( rachelswipe with a fork, Tue 20 Aug 2013, 11:02, Reply)

she can see through you like a window, rachel dear.

( the mighty badger Aphrodite, on a bar stool, by your side, Tue 20 Aug 2013, 11:05, Reply)

haha you wait
imma bookmark this. a shiny ford mustang says that in about 4 years' time, you'll be complaining like a mo'fo that kid number 1 was really easy going, but kid number 2 was BORN with strong tastes and you can't override them!
( rachelswipe with a fork, Tue 20 Aug 2013, 11:08, Reply)

Just as long is the 2010 Bullitt edition GT

( the mighty badger Aphrodite, on a bar stool, by your side, Tue 20 Aug 2013, 11:15, Reply)

Makes pussy joke

(Bonzodog29 is an unemployed sponge of the worst kind, Tue 20 Aug 2013, 10:50, Reply)