Anonymous wrote:You’re awful. There — I said it.

I don’t buy my daughter Barbies because I don’t want her thinking that body type is something to aspire to, but she has plenty of other dolls. She also has dinosaurs, trains, and other things you probably think are only for boys.

I agree that OP is being awful but what is wrong with the career barbies? The vet/astronaut/whatever series? I've never met anyone who actually aspired to look like their dolls. I hate those Bratz and LOL dolls. Barbie all the way.

If the kids end up with eating disorders or whatever it is usually coming from the mother or a mean aunt or something systemic in their actual social environment.

PP, my 8 year old son wants a Greenleaf dollhouse for Christmas. We may get him one. It doesn’t mean anything, who cares?

Um. What is the difference between Barbies and GI Joes? Or any other dolls? They are all the same. Just dolls.

Role-playing is fine. They are learning and being creative. I don't understand why you are so insecure and hateful about it? You don't explain why you are upset.

We used to combine barbies, GI Joes, legos, everything all together (once we decided the basic storyline, of course). Everyone who was there is fine and well-adjusted.

Ha! My 8 year old son plays with Peppa Pig figurines in a dollhouse with his 4 year old sister. It’s quite creative and funny with all the scenarios they come up with. Sometimes I think, is this normal for an 8 year old boy? But really, does it matter? He also likes legos, video games, reading, dollhouses, getting dirty, and riding bikes.

I think it’s good for kids of both sexes to play with all types of toys: dolls/stuffed animals, action figures, dress up/pretend play, cars/trucks/trains, etc. It makes them more well rounded people. And what kids are into at age 7 is really not that indicative of their future interests. When I was 7, I loved playing sports, riding my bike, climbing trees, building forts, generally running around outside having adventures. The only thing on that list you might guess about me currently would be that I like riding a bike still. At age 36, I don’t care at all about sports let alone play sports myself anymore, I’m bookish and introverted.

Anyway, I don’t think you should make much of this as it’s a completely normal part of development to play w dolls and doesn’t mean much of anything about what kind of person your son is/will be.

Anonymous wrote:OP, I’m a conservative who doesn’t believe in being transgender ( I think it’s child abuse) but I have no problem with kids playing with toys. It’s just a toy. I don’t see any harm in it. Playing with a Barbie won’t magically make him a girl or like boys. Let your kid have fun.

So, you're an expert then?

My brother played Barbies with me up until he was about 9. You would never know it if you met him.

OP, so where did the Barbies come from?
My daughter never played with dolls. Ever. I though it was strange but wasn't 'hating,hating,hating' it. 10 years later my child's totally into girly stuff.
Not all everything is lost at 7.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, I’m a conservative who doesn’t believe in being transgender ( I think it’s child abuse) but I have no problem with kids playing with toys. It’s just a toy. I don’t see any harm in it. Playing with a Barbie won’t magically make him a girl or like boys. Let your kid have fun.

Your views are wrong.

They certainly aren’t valid anyway. Child abuse? Only a terrible, degenerate person would think that way.

Anonymous wrote:OP, I’m a conservative who doesn’t believe in being transgender ( I think it’s child abuse) but I have no problem with kids playing with toys. It’s just a toy. I don’t see any harm in it. Playing with a Barbie won’t magically make him a girl or like boys. Let your kid have fun.

Your views are wrong.

Cue Alan Alda.

Anonymous wrote:My 7 year old son loves Calico Critters. He asked for a big mansion for them this past Christmas and has a “kitty city” in his bedroom. It’s okay. I know he’s not like most other seven year old boys. That’s fine.

LOL my husband loved Calico Critters/Sylvanian Toys when he was growing up. His older sister liked them too, but he really liked them.

It’s ok, OP. I know you want to keep him safe from bullies. I think we all get this. It’s hard to balance “wanting your kid to have friends/not be bullied” with “wanting them to be their authentic selves.” No advice, just acknowledgement that it’s tough!

Anonymous wrote:I’m “saying” it here because I can’t say it anywhere else. I hate, hate, hate it. I cringe on the inside every time I see it. I wish my son would just play like other typical 7 year olds boys. You know, superheroes, cars, legos, Fortnite.

Cue the sleuth of nasty comments, but oh well.

I’m not a troll, either. Just needed to get this out of my system.

[youtube] https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&channel=iphone_bm&sxsrf=ALeKk01ul7z0dAXXNMkqiF_DCQauDNhfcQ%3A1599094333004&source=hp&ei=PD5QX7iZOumCytMPj5CC2Ag&q=william%27s+doll+song&gs_ssp=eJzj4tVP1zc0TCozjTdIrioyYPQSLs_MyclMzFUvVkjJz8lRKM7PSwcAz0AL4w&oq=william%27s+doll&gs_lcp=ChFtb2JpbGUtZ3dzLXdpei1ocBABGAEyBQguEJMCMgIILjICCAAyAggAMgIIADICCAAyAggAMgIIADoHCCMQ6gIQJzoECCMQJzoFCC4QkQI6BQgAEJECOggIABCxAxCDAToFCAAQsQM6BAguEEM6BwguEBQQhwI6BAgAEEM6BwguELEDEEM6CgguELEDEBQQhwI6DQguELEDEBQQhwIQkwI6BwgAEBQQhwI6BAgAEAo6BwguEA0QkwI6BAguEA06BAgAEA1Q6wxYxT9glEhoBHAAeACAAWuIAdIKkgEEMTYuMZgBAKABAbABDw&sclient=mobile-gws-wiz-hp[/youtube]

I wouldn’t like it either

It's actually very healthy for all kids to play with dolls. Boys too often end up focusing on mechanical toys, and as they get older, they end up more focused on screens early on than girls typically do. This is a great way for your kid to develop his sense of empathy and social understanding and creativity. Let him enjoy the dolls! I'm a female, and my mom hated that I played with dolls as a kid, but I loved them. I think it's important to remember that kids don't necessarily have all the social and cultural baggage we have with certain toys.