I'm not talking about the little "Mindy Make-Up" dolls, becauser I would never encourage my child to play with that Mindy, it's like telling them that a 2-year-old looks much better with and should wear makeup. Anywho. Do you think daughters should play with dolls, or not? I think they should if they want to. Women, in nature, are nurturers. They have the natural and almost automatic response to help things that are hurt, sad, sick, or just a little helpless. That's why so many females babysit rather than males, msot of us just feel the need to nurture and care for something that can not fend for themselves. Dolls encourage the natural maternal instincts to come out later in life, and those are basic beliefs in a nutshell. Please do not talk about the "questionable" dolls (makeup mindy, barbies, etc.), I'm speaking simply of the regular baby dolls that children play with, cradle in their arms, put to sleep, put clothes on, try to feed, etc. I would appreciate your input and opinions
DD1 LOVED babies. She had about 10 babydolls and accessories and took care of each and every one. While one was eating, another was sleeping, another was taking a bath, and another was in the stroller. She outgrew it @ 2 yrs ago. Now she has two dolls...she plays mommy sometimes, but she is more into animals now. DD2 is indifferent. She'll carry a baby around and hug it and such, but she loves animals, too. She wants to be her big sister. I think a wide variety is the key. If the child likes babies, get her/him babies. It's a great way to show their loving nurturing side which I think is very instinctual. I never force certain toys on my children. I know you didn't want to talk about barbies, but I am . I was determined not to get Barbies for my girls, but they would get them as presents. DD1 had way too many at one time, but I finally weaned her down to one. Most of her Barbie stuff is the pet stuff anyway. Anyway, my eldest daughter (5) has her two dolls, TONS of animals, more crafty stuff now that she is into drawing and painting. The only actual "boy" toys she has is her plastic reptile collection. She LOVES snakes at the moment. *shudders* She went to a science day camp a few months ago, and she was the only one in her class to hold the snake. I was so proud!! I don't think that pushing a girl to play with baby dolls is healthy. If she likes it great, if not, also great! Just encourage what ever they want to do so they don't feel like what they want to play is wrong...ie. Maddie's snakes. Even though I detest them, I still play snakes with her and let her do her thing. Sorry for the ramble... PS that picture cracked me up!!!
Why wouldn't you allow your kid to play with dolls? It's not the worst thing out there. I'd be much more cautious with boys around toy guns. I played with dolls and barbies and all that and I'm still here. If you raise your kid to have common sense, it's not gonna do any damage.
Ditto Sugrmag I don't have a problem with regular baby dolls. Used to have a few as a child, I had a whole family set up with my three favourites. I agree Barbies could be a little dodgy, had some myself but never bought into the whole make up, boyfriends etc mindset. They were just characters in my little soap operas. My brother is younger than me so he always had dolls around and would play with them. It was a really positive thing, he's really caring and dotes on our rabbit. It freaked out my Grandparents (he used to push a pram around) but our parents were cool. It's done him the world of good.
Strawberry: I know what you mean, and I agree to some point, but these newer dolls that they have out can affect children, just as the toy guns do (which i also do not agree with giving to a child). Young minds can be extremely impressionable, parents should be careful with what they let their children do and see. For example, the stupid WWE wrestling show: My brother was able to watch it when he was younger, as was his friend. He decided to "try out" one of their "moves" on me and really hurt me. His friend was alreayd sort of out-of-control, but watching wrestling made him think that he could pretty much hit someone with a hammer and it wouldn't kill them. Thank God of course he never did that, but he did start to turn very violent to his family and friends. It's scary. But anywho, yeah, some parents do think that dolls encourage young girls to "grow up faster than they need to" and also encourages "earlier birth" (think: Sex when young). I, for one, do not agree with this, but I saw a special about it on TV a short while ago
smaller childeren grow out of dolls and toys so quick that, if you dont like a doll gift, you wont have to wait long to toss it without her knowing. lol. i grew up playing with alot of barbies, and i actually would rather my daughter grow up without them. i know it always kept me happy and ocupied, and i would prefer the baby doll scene over the barbie. but . . . i think ill encorage her to do more paintings, play outside more. in all seasons. what scares me is all the stupid cartoons they have out. my god . . . i starting my colection of videos of old school tom and jerry, and some other wholsome REAL cartoons for my lil one. i be damed if she grows up with some of this shite on tv now
Baby dolls are great. My daughter and son both play with them. They also play with ninja turtles, dinosaurs, transformers, and mommy's high heels, lol. Kids have been playing with dolls since the beginning of time; i think it's a very natural thing. Of course, picking up a stick and using it as a spear or something is natural too, but i like to consider that good practice for hunting skills, lol, so it's ok too, as long as no one gets whacked with it.
