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Parenting

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Original poster

To Barbie or not to Barbie?

165 replies

mrsruffallo · 15/01/2008 19:04

I never wanted dd to have one, but her friend has a couple and ny dd loves them.
She has told me she wants to save up for one-what do you think?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

cottonflee · 15/01/2008 19:54

Sometimes, you have to give in. Why not try and get her to help you make some clothes/funiture/house out of cardboard for the barbies ... that might take away from the barbie.

PuppyDogTails · 15/01/2008 19:56

I had them when I was little, I loved them and I've grown up to be a (reasonably) rational human being. I have to admit that I don't see the problem with them.

flossie64 · 15/01/2008 19:57

My DD insisted on Barbie presents for Christmas. I came to the conclusion they were the lesser of 2 evils, the other being the devil called Bratz.

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rantinghousewife · 15/01/2008 19:57

I'd let her have them, I think the more forbidden they are, the more children want them. Sad but true ime.

Hulababy · 15/01/2008 20:00

We have Barbie dolls (although not Bratz). DD has had them since she was 3. She treats them like any other doll.

I had Barbies as a child, as did my sister and our friends. None of us have been adversely affected by playing with Barbies!

chankins · 15/01/2008 20:01

I agree with puppydogtails, we had them growing up, and so do my dds now. They had a mad barbie phase that passed pretty quickly. Now they are into other things. It wont hurt her to have one or two to play with so she can join in with her friends. It would prob do more harm so keep saying no.

juuule · 15/01/2008 20:03

Why not? Mine love playing with theirs.

TheGiftedandTalentedGoat · 15/01/2008 20:06

i agree it won't do any harm BUT i hate the dammed things. they are freakish representations of porn queens. why not buy your dds a blow up doll, my dd would probably perfer a blow up doll as she finds dolls' genitalia a massive disapointment.

oh and i didn't have one and it hasn't done me any harm.

juuule · 15/01/2008 20:09

What are you going on about
They are dolls. Whatever might be going through your mind as you look at them is definitely not going through my dc minds. Absolutely ridiculous comments.

meep · 15/01/2008 20:11

Give her a Barbie
Make her smile

paulaplumpbottom · 15/01/2008 20:12

I think Barbies are fine. Bratz are the alternative which certainly isn't on

TheGiftedandTalentedGoat · 15/01/2008 20:13

its not just the freakish look, it is the commericial crap that goes with them. literally in teh case of the shitting dog.

juuule · 15/01/2008 20:13

My dc don't like Bratz as their feet fall off (the doll's not my dc).

Original poster

mrsruffallo · 15/01/2008 20:19

Interesting isn't it/ I spoke to two friends about this and one said she wouldn't have them in her house as they misrepresent women's bodies and the other said she couldn't see any problem with her having one.
I must admit, I used to say never but I am mellowing now I am a mother, and I think it is just a doll to dress up etc but I wanted to see what everyone thought and cover all bases before I gave in

OP posts:

Viggoswife · 15/01/2008 20:28

I spoke to my DH about this very same thing and he said will DD grow up and say "I am really glad my Mum did not let me have a Barbie, I am a better person for it". I mean perhaps she will but I think it unlikely. Mind you this is the man that thinks it ok for DS to have a toy gun so I don't know how reliable his opinion can be.

For me I adored my Barbies when I was a kid and I wouldnt want to deprive DD of that.

chankins · 15/01/2008 20:33

I didn't want my first dd to have one when she was tiny, nor did I really want her dressed head to toe in pink, but I soon realised I was fghting a losing battle - someone else bought her one and hence came the barbie phase, which was over before it really started - now they never get played with and I am on the verge of giving them to the charity shop. Has it done her or her sister the slightest bit of harm ? Of course not. She is the most tomboyish girl you could meet, albiet with long blonde hair and mostly dressed in pink !

Original poster

mrsruffallo · 15/01/2008 20:33

Yes, Viggo, that makes a lot of sense. I am from an all female household and we had girls worlds and sindys and all kinds of girly toys and none of us are particularly damaged.

OP posts:

Pollyanna · 15/01/2008 20:34

I can't see the problem in barbies - dd1 had some but soon lost interest, dds2 and 3 haven't shown any interest at all.

(I can't get too wound up about Bratz for that matter, but dd1 isn't at all interested).

jennifersofia · 15/01/2008 20:36

Well, I wasn't at all keen (and can understand your reasoning, btw - though I do think it is adult reasoning) and didn't buy one, but then my dd's got given some, so I just let it all lie instead of making a big deal of it. They do play with them and get enjoyment out of them, but certainly not more than any other toy, probably less. They do seem to treat them like other dollies. They like them because they can go in the bath with them, and they think it is funny when the arms/legs pop off.

rantinghousewife · 15/01/2008 20:40

Dd got bored of hers really quickly, she's much more interested in her girly lego set.

Hobnobfanatic · 15/01/2008 20:56

Ban the Barbie! She's thoroughly evil!

Sorry for the rant - but I've banned the B-bitch and she's staying banned. If she's given as a pressie, my DD gives them away, bless. I've explained my reasons and my DD has accepted them ever since she could speak!

TheGiftedandTalentedGoat · 15/01/2008 21:05

high five for the hobnob!

carmenelectra · 15/01/2008 21:11

Am i being thick? why would you not want to let your daughters have a Barbie? eh?

Hobnobfanatic · 15/01/2008 21:40

When they bring out a Barbie that's a size 14, with hairy legs and non-fake-looking boobs, then I MIGHT consider letting her enter my home. Currently she gives little girls a completely false impression of what it is to be a woman - setting them up for untold grief when they fail to grow up to look like her when they are older. No woman has that shape!

I absolutely agree with the G+T Goat - Barbies are "are freakish representations of porn queens"!

rantinghousewife · 15/01/2008 21:42

Nope, don't buy that one at all, I'm afraid. Think the mother is the key influence and if you spend all your time obsessing over your appearance, chances are that your dd will too.
Think Barbie has naff all to do with it.

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