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Original poster

I refuse to buy DD a branded doll! -

75 replies

Redlorry75 · 03/10/2006 22:55

I just wanted to get some other mums opinions. My DD is just 3. And I've noticed she's starting to succumb to TV advertising and recognises the hideous baby born and baby annabel adverts, which I find a bit disconcerting. Esp as I already imposed a 'no Barbie' ban on our house as soon as she was born. I am not anti-pink, or anti-doll, but I make sure DD has a good selection of toy cars and non-gender specific toys. However we do have a 'fashion' doll in the house and 3 cabbage patch kids. But I just feel that baby born, baby annabel and barbie are more of a brand - and a financial con (have you seen the price of baby annabel outfits?).

DD is more than happy to play with her ELC pram with a teddy in it or one of her other dolls and happily sits them down to eat or pretend to change them, and all her accessories have been gathered from various places, some second hand, without thought to brand etc.

I know when she gets to to school and hears what other little girls have I will probably have to have a rethink. But at the moment I feel if she is happy with the toys she's got why step into the breach and get all this heavy branded stuff.

My friend and Godmother thinks I am depriving her, and has hinted that her DD's have chosen a barbie present for DD for Christmas. Also MIL has asked if she can get some of this stuff. I have said a firm no to both parties, and suggested other less costly but more (I feel) appropriate things -besides it would all be similar to what she has already.

Am I being a meanie mummy?

OP posts:
batters · 05/10/2006 10:43

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tissy · 05/10/2006 10:48

I think it is rude and ungrateful to refuse a present that your friend's dd's have chosen, tbh.
You may not wish to buy your dd "branded" toys, or have her succumb to advertising, but it will happen in spite of your efforts.

Think forward a few years to when she has parties with school friends invited are you going to put " No Barbies" on the invitations, or make you dd give back the presents you don't approve of?

I don't like Barbies, but dd (4) has several- we approach birthdays and Christmas like this: she makes a list of the things she wants from what she has seen in the shops/ on the ads on the telly. Depending on the relative prices, I tell her which things are out of the question, and roughly how much money is available to spend- e.g. "you can have 2 Barbies or a Baby Born- you can't have everything", "no, you don't need a baby born pushchair, you've already got a pushchair", "think about that Horses head- what are you going to do with it,when you've put make up on it a few times- you will be bored very quickly, for that money you could get a pink bag for your ballet clothes...." she is far more likely to think carefully about her choices if you take time to discuss things with her, rather than banning things- you'll just make her want those things more.

Dd recently got a present for doing something really well at her swimming lesson- can't remember what- she chose a Barbie doll with wings that you paint with cold water to make flowers appear. She now knows it's crap!

oliveoil · 05/10/2006 10:48

dd1 wanted fruit winders and I said no so I am not a pushover, she doesn't get what she wants all the time.

I hate Bratz dolls as the adverts just make me so angry with the pouting children and make up etc so at the moment I say that they are rubbish and she accepts that.

My sister got her a Barbie Pegasus head which I detested so I hid it in the cupboard .

Relatives will always get something foul imo.

anniediv · 05/10/2006 10:49

You may as well try and tell the tide not to come in! Once she goes to school and has parties, you can't police what she gets given as a gift (ungrateful IMO, but I know others think differently).

I hate Bratz dolls, but I also hate the thought of my dds being ostracized or mocked for the sake of me making a stand about a bit of plastic. I think there are other things to worry about.

BloodRedRubyRioja · 05/10/2006 10:49

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GreenSlashedSleeves · 05/10/2006 10:52

I don't like branded toys either, I resent and loathe the fact that it is virtually impossible to get decent toys/clothes that are not related in some way to the damn television or the American movie machine. What is on offer for children is 99% crap IMO. I spend quite a bit of time and energy avoiding having my kids exposed to stuff which I think is substandard/cynical/inappropriate shit designed to turn them into consumers while they are still toddlers. Of course there are "bigger things" to worry about - I worry about those too . However I think that this is a "big thing". Childhood is gradually being eroded away in our culture by mass marketing on various levels. It's a much bigger issue than some parents just not personally liking Barbie.

oliveoil · 05/10/2006 10:54

if we are talking about annoying, how about the Lelli Kelli shoe ads?

"Oh Lelli Kelli, du du du du doo du" with pouting 7 year olds with make up mobile phones!!!!!

arrrrrrrrrrrrrgggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

batters · 05/10/2006 10:54

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handlemecarefully · 05/10/2006 21:20

OO - I wandered into the living room to find my 4yr old singing along word perfectly to the Lelli Kelli shoe advert , perhaps it is time to moderate her viewing of Nick Junior!

pointydog · 05/10/2006 21:22

batters, especially the rabbit's whisker!

Now did you really get so many toys of death and destruction or are you just accident prone?

FloatingHeadOnTheMed · 05/10/2006 21:31

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Mateychops · 05/10/2006 22:21

I'm sorry, I don't get this at all, and I know that it's a recurrent theme on MN. Call me thick, but isn't everything that is manufactured 'branded'? If not, I'd sack the marketing department. Dolls aren't the root of all evil, don't sweat the little stuff

hana · 05/10/2006 22:23

yes everythign is branded - but give a little girl a choice between baby annabel and a tesco branded dolly?
think that's what op meant

Mateychops · 05/10/2006 22:24

Sorry, didn't Tesco get a slating in yesterday's press for taking over the world?

FloatingHeadOnTheMed · 05/10/2006 22:36

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batters · 06/10/2006 06:51

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pointydog · 06/10/2006 16:57

Depends what she wanted you to do with the dirty string, I suppose batters. Make purdy necklaces for little babies?

And agree with matey - don't see much distinction between Tesco, Elc, Annabel makers... Gee, I don't even know who makes Annabel.

mousiemousie · 06/10/2006 16:59

I think you are acting in a highly responsible fashion, FWIW

Original poster
Redlorry75 · 07/10/2006 08:13

Hi,
Am going to come back and say that I think where I mis-worded myself was to say branded. I think Baby Annabel, Baby Born and Barbie get on my nerves so much because their adverts are always on the telly. And Barbie seems to want to take over the bl**dy world with her clothe and perfume and shoes as well as toys etc.

Yes my daughters has Cabbage Patch Kids, and Dora toys and Fifi toys. However I feel these are more age appropriate and not turning her in to a mini mummy or tweenager! And whenever she's received stuff like this its because she seen it in the toy shop or she loves the show and has expressed an interest in it - and when she plays with them she actually acts out what she's seen. And with regards to Dora, DD has actually picked up a few Spanish words -which makes me very pleased - as it shows education can come through the media of TV.

The 3 affore mentioned dolls dont have a TV show - although their hideous adverts get more than enough air time !

And have to say I also agree with all of you who hate Bratz and Lelli Kelly.

Thanks for all your opions - I know I need to chill out a little - but I'll blame it on the PG hormones!

OP posts:
mummyscaryhouseonthehill · 07/10/2006 08:44

Calm down it is possible to buy lovely toys have a look here

Must admit I agree with you about all the hyped up plastic rubbish though. DD is 4 and keeps nagging for it and I refuse to give in to. Although they do seem to have an awful lot of it bought for them by well meaning relatives.

FatThighs · 11/11/2006 16:31

I am getting baby annabel for my dd (4) for christmas as I know she will love it. So it's branded but from what I've read it is a good product.

I let mine watch adverts - they learn that they can't have any stuff going and adverts always make things seem better than they are, good life lesson.

I hate BRATZ dolls - they look like sl*ts.

Piffle · 11/11/2006 16:46

I refused as well
Her granny bought dd a baby annabel for 4th birthday
She absolutely adores it
I think tbh in some kids it's irrelevant what brand it is

FillyjonkTheFireEater · 11/11/2006 16:53

Redlorry, I don't think you need to chill, I think you are spot on. Stick to your principles! Your daughter will not miss out by not having branded toys. She will not hate you. In years to come she might respect you for it.

Ack dunno what to say, there have been so many good posts...just that you are doing the right thing by her.

And I keep meaning to start a thread about this tv free business, I am intrugued.

moondog · 11/11/2006 16:55

Yes Redlorry,you are not a weirdy for not wanting your kid to drown in a sea of Bratz/Baby Annabel and whatever else is on offer out there.

As I said,am blissfully unaware as not a shopper and not a tv watcher.

Don't be a lemming.

Blandmum · 11/11/2006 16:57

lemmings don't btw. It was a set up by Disney