A baby doll... for ds.

[Lolli]

Hi all,
I just thought I'd throw this out for opinions...

My ds often plays with some girl babies the same age as him, who all have baby dolls. Ds loves them, he 'talks' to them and gives them kisses and cuddles. very cute

We went off today to the post-Xmas sales and picked up a baby doll for ds- a boy doll that is *ahem* 'anatomically correct' as it says on the box, with a nappy and a jumpsuit and a little teddy (and a bottle, but I'm not giving him that- probably cause for a whole other thread that i may just post later today).

Anyway, I'm rambling. The point is dh is horrified that I would get a doll for a little boy, even if it is a boy doll (actually he said he'd rather I got him a girl doll than a boy). He said (a direct quote)- "if you're going to start doing things like this to the poor kid, we'll have to have another baby and hope it's a girl..."

I don't think there is anything wrong with it- why start that kind of gender stereotyping at this age?

But what does everyone else think?

[Beach Mama]

I think it is a wonderful idea! No reason why little boys can't be tender and have cuddles with babies like their daddies do as well. Just like my darling girl who loves her matchbox cars and trucks right now. Good on you and I hope he loves his dolly!

[Snowy Love]

Nothing at all wrong with it - my DS has a baby doll (although atm he'd rather play with his cars) Maybe say to DH that he's shown such a good example being a caring male parent that DS wants to emulate him.

[Liz]

My DS played with my cabbage patch doll, still has it in his bed But he would breastfeed her and change her nappy and put her to sleep hehe.

nothing wrong with it at all.

[mrsmac]

My DS plays with his sisters baby dolls (a bit roughly but still!) and with trucks. I see nothing wrong with it. DH is fine with the dolls but was a bit horrifed when I painted DS's nails hot pink the other day cause his sister was having hers done and he wanted his doen too LOL

[Nai]

I don't see anything wrong with it at all. Maybe ask him if he would be just as horrified if you had bought a truck for a girl? Playing with dolls and doing role-play scenarios is a developmental stage so maybe put it to him that you are giving him the doll to help develop his social skills.

[visitor1]

I dont see anything wrong with it at all

I think our DS best get used to having dolls with 2 big sisters around when he arrives!

[aussienic]

I have dolls for my sons.. They all got one .. not for any birthday or anything.. just in general.. my Ds 2 and 3 weren't to interested and just liked to jump on them :/ bu Ds 1 loved his till about 3 then he would throw it around and wrap it tight and throw it into the bed lol..

We even had a stroller for the dolls till they started using that as a weapon

[suse]

I've been meaning to get one for my DS; I've noticed that he gravitates towards them whenever we have mum's group at one of the girl's houses (entranced by the unfamiliar no doubt). Not only are they great for imitative play, they are great for teaching anatomy too.

It's disappointing that there is such gender stereotyping attached to something that can have a lot of learning benefits to all kids. If you point out these benefits to your DH, perhaps he will be a little more open to the idea.

[smiles4u]

I bought a Baby Doll with a blue bathrobe & milk bottle for my nephew on his 2nd Xmas when he was 2.5years old ... HE LOVED IT THAT MUCH HE WAS SHAKING WITH EXCITEMENT & he turned to his Dad & said " Daddy feed baby " giving his Dad the milk bottle too

I never asked my sister before buying the doll ... i just went ahead a bought it after my sister told me HE just loves seeing babies (he is an only child).

If it helps any my daughter had a 'Bob the Builder' party for her 2nd birthday ... you never saw a little girl so HAPPY & days later i was in BigW overhearing a Mum & Dad telling their approx 4yr old daughter that she Could Not have a Bob the Builder singlet as it wasn't " for little girl's " & MADE her take a Little Pony singlet instead which she clearly didn't want as there were tears everywhere !!

[Gigi]

your DS obv loves the doll, so i would be glad for him.

Sad that your dh is so negative.

[indie24]

I don't see anything wrong with your DS having a doll. I grew up with a twin brother so we had the best of both worlds with toys. My brother would play with my barbies for hours on end.

As a child care worker I can see how playing with dolls helps children in all areas of their development. Well done for buying it for your DS.

[Ozziehoffy]

Nothing wrong with that at all!! We bought Oskar a little doll pram a while back and he LOVES it! He has it upstairs and on the veranda. He puts his teddy or monkey in it sometimes. I don't see anything wrong at all. I used to play with trucks and cars and lego more than dolls.... so who cares!!

[briggsy's girl]

nothing wrong with boys having dolls! my two nieces and nephew are here today - and all three bought baby dolls with them. they get them out every few months and all three play with them. i think it's good to take away the age old gender stereotyping - if we have a boy there is no way i'd stop them playing with typically "feminine" toys, and vice verse!

[Visitor8]

Jaidan pushed a pram and doll around from 12 months till he was 3, Chase wears a fairy dress, carries a dora doll around, wears high heels and plays with any barbie he can get his hand on

Would he have the same reaction if he had a girl playing with spiderman toys or trucks?

[Haydies]

I don't know about the rest of you, but I've not come across many 20 year old guys that still play with dolls. I've seen 10 year old boys with dolls, but that usually revolves around throwing and decapitating them lol. Saw a 5 year old with one once, he was peeking up her skirt.

Phases pass, nothing wrong with it. Children this age don't know "boys toys" from "girls toys". There's enough time to worry about the right thing to do, let them have their fun now.

DD loves trucks, and cars and all things dirt at the moment. I think it's fantastic!

[Nai]

I don't know about the rest of you, but I've not come across many 20 year old guys that still play with dolls.

Only the blow up kind

[AngelPunks]

my youngest nephew desperately wanted one when he was little, so I went out and bought one for him, he is now 26 years of age and a total gorgeous god (if I do say so myself) and has women falling over themselves to be with him.