Bee is 7y8mo, but emotionally (and in social skills, play skills etc.) seems more like a 4 or 5 year old. While I personally feel that children (girls especially) are forced to "grow up" far too early, the crack in development between Bee and her peers is becoming more of a chasm.
I know that some of it comes from the frontal lobe damage she has sustained as a result of her strokes, but wonder if I might be contributing to the rest, in not pushing her to redirect her interests. This morning, before school, she was playing with Fisher Price Little People, and very happy making up stories, but I am curious if I might be doing her a disservice by not pushing her toward more "age appropriate" toys. Admittedly, I am none too fond of the body styles of the toys marketed to girls of her age - too thin, too shapely, and dressed in a way you would NEVER find me dressing her. She is a child who is at risk for body image issues - I don't want to contribute to it.
Am I overthinking this because of the assessments she is undergoing right now, or might there be some merit to me guiding her toward older interests? This is definitely more about "me" right now, but with her beginning transition to MS school next year, I want her to have as few barriers as possible...
Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on special needs.
SN children
Fostering emotional development
BeeMom · 02/05/2013 13:44
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Couthy, when things get particularly stressful while Bee is in the hospital, I am known to grab the felt tips and colouring books 
zzzzz thanks for the reassurance - as a family, we are "square", too. Our children address adults by Mr/Mrs and their surname, or ma'am/sir, dress respectfully and mind their manners to the best of their abilities. We have "old fashioned" toys and values - and apparently, it catches peoples' eyes, as I hear comments about their manners more often than I should (as, to me, this is something that we should try to teach all children). I guess since I am not a "cool" parent who wants to be a friend instead of a role model, I am an odd duck.
I actually brought up this specific issue with the neuro-psych today, and he says that we are not doing her a disservice by trying to push her toward older things... play is important, and children will gravitate toward that which is most appropriate to their developmental age when left to their own devices, and that a lot can be learned both by and about children by watching them play.
Hi beemom I am another parent with a Dd with social/emotional delay.
My Dd3 (10) plays with playmobil alot, other than it being rather stereotypical it is harmless and non sexualised (thank goodness). She also likes Gogo's as she loves to sort them and catagorise them.
I think you should always buy toys that you feel comfortable with.
I agree with what you are saying about girls growing up to fast. Luckily I have a group of friends who are like me in the way they raise their daughters.
Good luck 
We dont have any barbie type dolls in the house.
Lol, that last sentence moved itself. How funny. Its turned itself into a mantra!
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They'll play in their development-age style whatever you give them, though. Mine do 'advanced container play' with everything (get it out, set it up, wander off). Drives me insane. Then they do imaginative repetitive scripted play with the kitchen equipment and some sticks in the garden .
The little one never really had any toys. He did all the mouthing, throwing, sensory-stuff stages with nicked big-kid sibling toys 
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