Being wierd about DD having Barbie dolls

[happysunshinedays]

She's 4 and going to big school in September. On the last day of Preschool she had a wobble that night and said the other children wouldn't play with her. She's got loads of good friends out of school and generally very social, lovely girl.

Then she told me that other (seemingly very popular girls) in her class love Barbie. Have also heard about High School Musical as being a Preschool trend.

I don't want her to be the odd-bod in the class obviously, but saw some Barbies for sale today and couldn't bring myself to buy them! All boobs and legs!

Trying to find the line between her natural desire to fit in and encouraging her to grow up too quickly.

Any words of wisdom??

But ISNT it is being all up tight that does do this to your dc, look at bingtatas post. I am not talking about you I am talking about people whoso dd have asked for a barbie and been bought one by family that has been chucked out.

Also I won't be making my dd (who is 1 BTW) stay clean nor will I shove barbie down her throat but if she asks I will buy her one, She has cars and enjoys playing with her brothers toys much more than girls toys. I will not be teaching her to focus on her appearance. I was always a tomboy and hated dresses still do and I would be proud of her if she was a tomboy, or a girly girl and not try to change who she is.

But I will not ban anything that even remotely suggests being pretty is good because then she will probably think I have banned them because she is not pretty and have a lot of confidence issues. I think balance is the way to go and banning barbie IMO is not balanced.

Why do men think that?

(Not quite managed to switch off yet)

You are suggesting that the people on this thread who won't buy a barbie for their children, will end up with children with severe and lifelong psychological problems?

TBH I am more worried about the daughter of the woman who has "hundreds of barbies" and thinks my DD at 2yo needed some "before it was too late".

Really am going now. Night.

"TBH I am more worried about the daughter of the woman who has "hundreds of barbies" and thinks my DD at 2yo needed some "before it was too late"." I would also be equally worried about this as it is obviously not balanced and bordering on obsessive. The same as refusing to buy your dd a barbie even if she really wants one because of your own issues, with it's origins and throwing a b.day present out because it is a barbie.

I am also going G.night. .

We just shout 'yuck' when Barbie ads come on the telly (especially those little poo-ing puppies!) - hoping to brainwash dd (20 months!).

Ds1 is 4 and loves barbie movies, they're quite thrilling. Barbie and the Diamond Castle had his imagination going for ages - he talks about it over a year later.

Actually, the suggestion was that parental attitude, treatment and expectations had more of an impact on a child's longstanding psychological health than a barbie doll. Too much power is being invested in what is essentially a doll.

It is like saying that playing with Sylvanian Families perpetuates the idea that all families should consist of a heterosexual couple and a number of children and this should be similarly reacted against because it does not value one child families, homosexual couples or single parent families. You don't see heated debates on that though, do you?

I missed a whole lot, didn't I?!!

I don't like Barbie, I think she's really 'tarty'...I wouldn't really like my little girl putting on lipstick either.

I don't like those action hero figures much. They look ugly, scary and violent.

So I try the brainwash thing - but if it doesn't work then I will surely allow my kids all that rubbish because I do agree that if you turn it into a big deal, it will be one, but if you don't they will no doubt grow out of it in a few years.

Can someone please explain to me what Barbie's educational value is? That is what aspect of my childrens educational development is fulfilled by Barbied which cannot be fulfilled by another toy/doll?

The only people banging on about an alledged positive correlation (let alone cause and effect) between big boobs and low IQ are those who have announced they themselves have big boobs. I have made no such remark.

Whereas I have been talking about how Barbie "looks", and by that I meant primarily her wardrobe. She is also too skinny. But, that is far from the whole story. I think it is good to be attractive. But, Barbie is a tart.

"Math is tough" horrifies me more than words can say. My DD is quite good at math and I go to great lengths to make sure she is aware of that fact. Messages to little girls that they are inferior in math and science are everywhere. It is not acceptable. And I would happily burn any doll that uttered those horrible, damaging, and UNTRUE words to my DD.

agree with ISNT generally about Barbie. I loved my Sindy and don't think it will necessary scar little girls to have a Barbie, but still think ISNT's points are valid. Barbie does look like a Playboy Mate of the year but again don't think all the little girls will rush out to do the same.