I have certain goals as a parent: instill a sense of feminism in my daughter, attempt to raise her in a gender-neutral way, try to keep her away from the hyper-consumerism that runs rampant in our culture.
But I also want to respect what she wants and make her happy.
Today, those interests came to a head. And Adeline won. We went to Toys’R'Us and bought a baby doll, complete with baby care accessories, and a play stroller.
The selection. Gender-neutral parenting hell.
I let her pick out the ones she wanted, and she, at least, picked out a relatively cute and not overly obnoxious one. Since the moment we first opened the packages (immediately upon paying for them, without even getting out of line; thank god the store was empty), she hasn’t stopped playing with Baby.
I have a feeling I’m going to become very familiar with this little duo.
Baby came to Whole Foods with us. Baby walked the dogs with us. Baby ate lunch with us. Oh. My. God. Please tell me this will stop soon. It’s the novelty, right? I just don’t think I can stand bringing Baby with us everywhere from now on.
Shopping at Whole Foods with her Baby. I wonder where she gets it from??
On the other hand, I’m writing a post while Adeline is awake for the first time ever. She’s putting Baby in her shopping cart and then in the the stroller and back again. Baby is getting the tour of our whole apartment. Adeline is happy and busy and that makes me pretty damn happy, too. I guess I can learn to live with this.
Baby, welcome to the family.
My baby has a baby, too. The attachment runs deep. Baby is necessary for bedtime, for going in the car, for nursing time, for going in the stroller, etc. She goes for lots of rides in the mini shopping cart (melts my heart!) and gets carried around in a mini baby sling in place of a stroller. I find it really sweet, actually. Just be careful that you always know where the baby is. Ours got left at the grocery store by accident last week and it was an ugly scene. Luckily we were all re-united the next day!
You’re right, it is really sweet. Addie has several toys that she must have for naps and bedtime at this point, and I think that’s adorable. Although yes, when we can’t find one of them and she freaks out, I think it’s less adorable
I think you did the right thing. You gave your daughter the freedom to choose and it’s not as if the doll is disproportionate or sexualised, as other toys on the market are. If you forced only gender neutral toys on Adeline, she might rebel and pick pink on principle
Good point! And yeah, this doll is cute and harmless. It’s more the sexualized toys for preschoolers that really freak me out. I just don’t want to go down that path. But I know lots of little girls play with dolls and they don’t all end up playing with those other toys. Ah the perils of parenthood!
Hilarious. She looks like a mini-you with her baby at the store, thoughtfully looking over the dairy selections! So cute!
I know, right?! My goodness, the imitating effect is in full force at this age, isn’t it??