I don’t keep my kids from any toys. They saw Barbie in Target and asked for them. My youngest daughter has liked them the most , she’s 6 now and has probably had Barbies since her 4th birthday. She loves pretending with them and saving up her money for certain sets. She has a gymnastics coach set , pizza chef, ultimate kitchen, grocery store, some Chelsea sets, etc. She’s liked them much more than her dollhouse even though I think they’re pretty much the same thing. I didn’t really like Barbies as a kid and only played with them at friends houses. I’m not really good at making up characters or different voices, I’d much rather play with baby dolls with her but she loves making up stories with her Barbies much more.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I refused to host a laser tag party but my son attended them. For me it was enough that he knew I would not host one. Do I think they turn kids into mass shooters, no but I do think there are literally millions of other ways to have fun.

So, it’s about you...not your kid?

The message we send to our kids by our actions (which may be different than other families) are very important. Now that they are older and know the terror that guns are causing they understand that message loud and clear.

I got her a couple with diverse shapes and skin colors, along with a couple of Lottie dolls and Rey and other Star Wars actions figures. That last one Christmas around age 5/6, and since then she’s moved on (now 8).

Anonymous wrote:I refused to host a laser tag party but my son attended them. For me it was enough that he knew I would not host one. Do I think they turn kids into mass shooters, no but I do think there are literally millions of other ways to have fun.

So, it’s about you...not your kid?

I refused to host a laser tag party but my son attended them. For me it was enough that he knew I would not host one. Do I think they turn kids into mass shooters, no but I do think there are literally millions of other ways to have fun.

I tried to introduce my Barbie's and a few new to my daughter because she LOVES play like that. But she never took to them. Maybe she will later?
She does love LOL dolls though, which to me are way worse than barbies and more like those ugly Bratz dolls my sisters played with

Anonymous wrote:We didn't introduce Barbie and princesses ourselves, but she got them as gifts and loves them.
I don't feel like its my job to police all her influences. They were gifted to her by her doting grandparents.
I think her biggest influence is how DH and I interact and treat each other, I don't think the Disney princesses and Barbie make a huge difference one way or another.

I agree with this. I also see my DD's interests shift depending on who she's playing with: she plays dolls with her grandmother who introduced dolls, but never with me. I've probably unconsciously telegraphed that I find them boring.

I have never enjoyed dolls but in terms of body image influences, I am fine with the newer lines of Barbie. They have kids, men, gender neutral, etc and there are other brands that offer feminine dress up on more realistic dolls.

My one gift-receiving rule is no toy guns, but she has played with laser tag guns at other houses.

Oh, man, I LOVED my Barbies. One of my favorites I called “Barbara” and dressed her in a modest dress my grandmother sewed. I pretended she was a librarian and she went out to each at French restaurants.

—bookworm English major

I didn’t like my Barbies growing up. They were not poseable like my beloved Calico Critters, Legos and Playmobil, and had weird figures (the feet, ugh). I couldn’t care less what “professions” they were, they were not playable. My kids have dolls, Nerf guns, and every kind of toy, but not Barbies.

OP, why are you anti-Barbie? Here is another perspective...Barbies come in all shapes and sizes now - literally! They are also barbies that are astronauts, doctors, politicians, teachers, bee keepers (!!!) and veterinarians, and the list goes on! DD (age 6) loves barbies and is very engaged and imaginative with her barbers.

We didn't introduce Barbie and princesses ourselves, but she got them as gifts and loves them.
I don't feel like its my job to police all her influences. They were gifted to her by her doting grandparents.
I think her biggest influence is how DH and I interact and treat each other, I don't think the Disney princesses and Barbie make a huge difference one way or another.

Lawn darts. Obvious reasons.

Toy guns, but it didn’t matter. Around 3.5 everything became a gun: sticks, shoe horn, ruler, LEGO, etc.

I avoided the Disney princesses but now my kids are teens and I do not think it would have mattered.

This stemmed from a family member asking what age would be best for my daughters first Barbie. I realized I have no intention of introducing that toy to her. Any others that you will refrain from? Or if you are doing Barbie, good reason why?