Baby doll for DS1 ????

[jambomum]

Your views please.....
DS1 will be 4 years old in a few weeks, baby is expected 3 weeks later.
I asked DS1 what he wants as a birthday present and jokingly suggested a doll, so he could practice nappy changing and bottle feeding. He said YES !!
Am I being old fashioned in thinking this is a bad idea, or does anyone think that this could actually be beneficial to the transition as a big brother?
Obviosuly I don't want to scar him for life and have his shrink blame me for everything in 30 years from now.

[smee]

GET HIM A DOLL. Really can't see why you wouldn't.

[nickytwotimes]

I think it's a good idea too.
DS loves playing with dolls when we are at toddlers. He hasn't got his own, but I would definitely get him one when I am pg.

[Bluestocking]

My DS asked for a baby doll when he was about two and a half. He chose the pink baby doll from ELC (I had thought he might go for the blue one!) and she still has pride of place in his bed. He's just turned five. He isn't ever going to be a big brother, but I hope he will be a loving parent some day, and looking after Pinky is surely good practice for that vital role?

[diedandgonetodevon]

Get if for him. It's not as if having a doll will do him any harm.

[shootfromthehip]

I can't get my head around the problem here- your son wants a pretend human being (into which bracket an action man would also fall as would Bob the Builder or and other pretend human character). You are also having a baby... it all make sense. ELC do nice sets.

Good luck with your forthcoming arrival x

[cory]

Why would it be a bad idea? Is this not a young boy who might one day grow up and be a parent? I would have thought ability to care for another human was a sign of a well adjusted male.

I had a friend who wouldn't buy her little dd a car because they were boys' toys. This despite the fact that she, the Mum, was totally dependent on her car in her everyday life and perfectly capable of maintaining it. Weird.

My ds had a collection of dolls and played a lot with them. All my nephews have had them. Even my brothers had them in the sixties. It hasn't impeded their sense of identity in any way.

[flowerybeanbag]

I don't understand why it would be a bad idea, or result in problems of any kind.

[sb6699]

I think it would be lovely for him to have his own "baby". It doesnt have to be one with a pink dress and frills. As others have said ELC do a lovely "boy" doll.

My ds' favourite toy when he was 4 was a pink cleaning set with mop, brush, bucket which my dh cringed at but ds loved it and would follow me around doing his "chores".

[TotalChaos]

complete non-issue IMO. you can also get baby born boy dolls too - DS asked for a swimming my little baby born for Xmas!

[jambomum]

Thanks all, I know my reluctance merely conforms to antiquated and mildly offensive stereotypes, but thought it best to check before I go tot he shops and result in upsetting either DH or DS !!

[BlueCowWondersWhenItsChocTime]

buy one! But don't make my mistake and let your ds leave it on the floor.... cue screams and horror (from me) as I thought it was the real new baby...

[Pheebe]

Yes, of course! Why would you even ask! I'm amazed you've gor to 4 years without one There are lots of 'boy' dolls if you'd prefer and you can even get a blue push chair thing. DS1 has loved his to bits for the last 2 years and ds2 (1yo) is taking over where ds1 left off.