DVDs for a liberal feminist 2.5yo?

[LissyGlitter]

I have a 2.5 yo DD and another baby due soon, and was wanting to buy DD some dvds to distract her while I am feeding/too tired/etc.

DP has banned all disney, but particularly disney princess, from the house, on feminist grounds. I personally think he is over-reacting slightly, and so have smuggled finding nemo and happy feet in (which he accepted with a bit of grumbling), and am wondering what else would be suitable.

He maintains that she is happy with Doctor Who and such, but I think that mostly goes over her head, and would like her to enjoy some proper "little kid" films while she is still little enough to get caught up in all the magic.

Don't show your DD Dumbo. Or Bambi. Scar her for life, they will.

Or was that just me?

I dont think these films send out a bad message to girls. Yeah they end up in a happily ever after with their menfolk, but is that such a bad aspiration? Thats not the BIG MESSAGE of any of the films, I dont think (see earlier post for more info! )

I intend to let me DD watch as many Disney films as she likes as they are harmless fun. I will, of course, be telling her the original stories too so she gets a proper rounded view of them. Got my Brothers Grimm grimoire all poised and ready!

I think in a liberal femist household the man doesn't get to make all the rules for the females in his life...

That would be feminist

I agree: Dumbo and Bambi have been banned from this household.

That was the ONLY message I saw in the two we watched this weekend lwww (little mermaid & sleeping beauty).

I am used to "boys" or more like "neutral" DVDs and was quite shocked by them.

The 3 little girls I know who watch these films a lot play princesses non-stop.

My niece however did not watch this kind of stuff, only watched "animal" stories and now given a choice avoids princesses, which I feel is healthier.

I don't think aspiring to be a princess and only being able to live happily ever after if you get your man is a message I'd want any girl (or boy) to get.

OP's DP sounds like a fool if he really is like she presents him.

She is 2.5 - no way should she be watching Dr Who or struggling to understand adult chapter books.

You can't lump all Disney in together. When DD was 2.5 she loved Fox and Hound and The Wiggles. Now she is 6 I'd say the HSM trilogy have been her favourite films.

I also agree that videos of age appropriate TV shows like Peppa Pig are bound to go down well.

We don't think in terms of feminism. She just knows she can do and achieve whatever she wants - hence her joining gym, choir and football clubs at school this term off her own bat.

good point TheFallenMadonna.

Also, I think you should brace yourselves for the shock that is peer influence. I was much like you (although never banned Disney). My girl played with Thomas and owned very little pink and nothing frilly. At age three she went to school where all her new friends introduced he to all the girly things I hate. C'est la vie. It was inevitable. And I expect it will happen in your house too.

At age 6 Barbie and Bratz are still banned. She is dying for a Barbie, but has accepted it is off limits and she is not likely to get one from Santa because of course I have already had a chat with Santa.

But, there are loads of other girly things which have become an intrinsic part of our lives: My Little Pony, Polly Pockets, loads of Disney dress ups. Polly Pockets, in fact, I rate very highly. My DD has fairly good spacial awareness. One of the first times I noticed this was whenI opened polly pockets and left a million little bits of plastic clothes, shoes, accessories on the table and when I came back they had all been perfectly fitted onto the doll -- something I though I would have to do for her. Spacial awareness is something not many girl's toys teach. So I really like Polly Pockets.

I think you will have to choose your battles. And banning the whole of Disney is perhaps going to bring you more pain than joy.

For the 2.5yo I'd echo the suggestions of Peppa, Pingu and Maisie Mouse episodic enjoyable and not grossly sexist.

Disney Princesses. The only message I ever hear is "tart up and get a man" so would endorse any attempt to ridicule/erradicate/avoid em.

Dr Who....even I would say no to that and (to my caustic level embarrasment) my two children (2.5 and 4.5) can name the two major Torchwood characters...well the two I care about any way. I hasten to add they have never seen an episode .... just the occasional You Tube clip.

AppleTreeWick walks off whistling