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Original poster

2 year old hates a particular doll!

28 replies

stillsleeptraining · 06/04/2021 11:11

I know this isn’t the end of the world, but I would like some advice on what the “best” approach to the situation would be.

My 2 year old really likes an older looking Baby Born doll (Lila) and involves her in play. He’s less interested in the baby dolls, but they can play too. But he absolutely loathed the boy Baby Born (Ben) his grandparents got him. I mean - if this doll was a real boy, my son would properly be bullying him. He throws him on his head, kicks him, excludes him from playing with the other toys and won’t let him join in. He’s really mean to him!

It’s funny, but at the same time, a big part of the reason he want him to play with dolls is to practice kindness and empathy. Not to learn to be a bully.

Any tips?! If he hurts Ben, we give Ben attention and cuddles etc. But I’m not sure what to do about Ben being excluded from playing.

Should I just put Ben in a cupboard or use it as a learning opportunity?

OP posts:
3Britnee · 06/04/2021 11:12
Confused
TeenMinusTests · 06/04/2021 11:14

I'd put Ben away somewhere.

Ahbahbahbah · 06/04/2021 11:15

At that age I’d put the boy doll away somewhere rather than forcing the issue.

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Original poster
stillsleeptraining · 07/04/2021 11:27

Thank you!

OP posts:
Spied · 07/04/2021 11:28

Get rid of the doll.

user1493413286 · 07/04/2021 11:32

I think you’re over thinking this! My DD hated a particular doll when she was younger and once able to verbalise it she said she hated it because it looked like a monster (to me it didn’t, just had lots of hair) but for her that was a valid reason and pushing it on her wouldn’t have helped. Model kindness and empathy to your son by not pushing him to do things that he’s shown he’s not happy doing.

SocraticJunkieWannabe · 07/04/2021 11:33

I wouldn't over think it. I'd just put the doll away. Maybe he'll like it again when he's older.

SuperintendentHastings · 07/04/2021 11:33

My mum always used to tell me about a poor doll that I had whose head I used to consistently shut in the door. They took the hint and got rid of it.

Get rid of the doll - and don't overthink this non issue.

TheWaif · 07/04/2021 11:35

Oh, disappointing. I thought this was going to be about a haunted doll Grin

BernardsarenotalwaysSaints · 07/04/2021 11:36

Just get rid of it.

sqirrelfriends · 07/04/2021 11:41

@TheWaif

Oh, disappointing. I thought this was going to be about a haunted doll Grin
Same!

Children are very perceptive, perhaps the doll contains the soul of a tortured spirit.

That's pretty scare for a 2 year old, best to get rid.

saffire · 07/04/2021 11:44

Get rid of the doll. It's obviously causing him some discomfort or distress.

UnderHisAye · 07/04/2021 11:45

Just chuck it out! Some dolls can be creepy to little kids.

CandleWick4 · 07/04/2021 11:49

With all due respect OP what are you talking about?! You have a 2 year old who doesn’t like a doll? It’s not some great mystery or ‘learning opportunity’ just get rid of the doll. Confused

UnderHisAye · 07/04/2021 11:50

I'm imagining you when your son's a teenager going 'oh my god, remember when we kept that creepy wee doll hanging around as a 'learning opportunity', what were we like!? Grin

NuanceIsUselessHereSoPhuckit · 07/04/2021 12:32

Any tips?! If he hurts Ben, we give Ben attention and cuddles etc. But I’m not sure what to do about Ben being excluded from playing

And what do you do or say to the person who hurt Ben?

peak2021 · 07/04/2021 12:37

Put the doll away. Only keep it in case grandparents ask.

NuanceIsUselessHereSoPhuckit · 07/04/2021 12:43

Giving attention to Ben then nothing else won't help. Telling your son not to hit, kick or whatever Ben because x,y,z may help to make him realise he shouldn't. He's 2 - they typically understand no... or stop... or don't....

nothingcanhurtmewithmyeyesshut · 07/04/2021 13:00

I think he is too young really to learn much empathy. I would discipline him for hurting Ben but giving Ben attention isn't really something he is going to understand yet. He's too little. Stick with No hitting, hitting is wrong and use the naughty step type discipline.

UnderHisAye · 07/04/2021 13:15

You can't put a toddler on the naughty step for 'hurting' an inanimate object! He obviously hates the doll, just remove it instead of baiting him into hitting it then 'disciplining' him. He's 2 for goodness' sake.

RedGoldAndGreene · 07/04/2021 14:14

Get rid.
It's fine not to like a toy

Aquamarine1029 · 07/04/2021 14:16

Ben needs to disappear.

NuanceIsUselessHereSoPhuckit · 07/04/2021 14:38

Only you can tell what it is tbf. If you know it's about not liking Ben, then he doesn't have to play with Ben. If it's about not hitting, etc then he needs to hear you say it. He can't get it from you cuddling Ben.

Happycat1212 · 07/04/2021 14:41

My daughter loved a show on YouTube so I bought her the soft toys of it as it’s not a U.K. show it’s from another country I had to order them from eBay as you can’t just buy them in the shop. I wrapped them up for Xmas and she opened them, took one look at them and absolutely screamed her head off and threw them across the room. She’s refused to watch the show ever since! Kids are weird 🤷‍♀️

GreyhoundG1rl · 07/04/2021 14:42

Ben needs to get in the fucking bin Confused. How bizarre!

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