Am I a bad mommy? It’s crossed my mind before.
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The question rears its head again as I find myself amongst the stay at home mommy’s who share their daughter’s coming out American Girl doll experience. It’s
the pilgramage parents make across major cities in the US: a visit to the celebrity doll store. I used to think it was an American thing, the race to scoop up the latest trendy goods for our children. Forget the steep price tag, only the best for princess.
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Sadly, I learned our mother ship is no better.
The shopping bug has stung the UK as well I’m afraid.
Yes, the My London Girl doll shop swung open its doors late last year in our favorite English city.
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For those not in the know, these dolls are selected based on the physical likeness of the lucky little girl that calls it its own. We’re talking the same hair style and color, eyes, skin tone and yes even down to dress up and personal fashion statements dear readers.
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Still I hold the line. My six year old has yet to comb the matching auburn tresses of her American mini-me doll.
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The chats I have with stay at home moms on those rare playdates I have time for, often veer into the haves and have nots of our children. There’s not much wiggle room for me (the now and again black sheep) to pipe up and say that I can smell the marketing ploys of these capitalizing toy makers.
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Parents take the forbidden bite that sells. The secret to building confidence in our little girls lies simply in their “mirror mirror on the wall“. Sorry, but the fixation on the whole matching mini-me thing kind of wigs me out plus I don’t really get it. Don’t we want our kids to appreciate beauty in all of the skin and hair palettes which paint the world’s landscape?
American Girl’s “follow your inner star” mantra seems a bit twisted given the beauty myth they’re selling,
not to mention conflicting for parents if teaching your child that beauty is only skin deep.
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On to more important matters. I have a bone to pick with Thomas the Train whom little girls also love to play with.
When oh when will a splendid pink engine be added to the steam team to prove her railway worthiness?
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Sir Topham Hat: are you listening?
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