@jennifer1967 It's quite shocking really, I remember listening to my mum talking on the phone to her friend about me. I can still recall the exact words she used to describe my life prospects.
'she is 22 years old with no husband and no babies, I don't know what will become of her'
I realised that I was expected to marry and provide grandchildren for my mum. It's okay, that's just how it was then and I did eventually provide a grandchild at the age of 37 Mum had all but given up by then and was over the moon with him.
I have no ambitions for my son, he can lead his life as he sees fit, I just want him to be happy in whatever he does and I would feel the same if I had a daughter. I never played with dolls when I was little although I remember giving one a haircut once. I was an adventurous child and I didn't like dresses which I think disappointed my mum. I preferred to be outside on my bike or scooter and make dens anywhere possible. I wonder do children still make dens.
I will say in her defence that she was a great mum and we got on really well but she did stereotype us. My brother was expected to have a career and I was expected to produce grandchildren.