I love dolls. I love doll houses. With that said, I always thought all girls loved them too. Alas, that may have been true long ago and in a far, far world. Now it is different. Today it is the born for young elementary school children to have mp3 players, cameras, cell phones and more. I grew up in a house with one land line only, no extensions, and a party line at that.
Times have changed, but I keep wondering is it really for the better. Our society’s modern parents often mold their daughters into the roles of mini-moms. From infancy on, they teach girls to emulate their mothers. Designer clothes, coiffed hair styles, the manicured nails they wear–all of these push them into acing like a grown up far before the time.
Battery driven toys and worse the corded power ones help rob children of creative play and imagination. Flicking fingers and tunnel vision directed to the TV set are helping ttoday’s kids grow into the couch potatoes of tomorrow. Vicarious experience in virtual reality format is warm and comfy unlike the sweat of physical activities like biking, skating, and just simply playing outside.
Recently my daughter-in-law informed me that she was redecorating my granddaughter’s playroom. Broken toys were being thrown out while no longer ones were being boxed up and put in the attic or given away. I approved the plan until I heard that my nine-year-old grandchild had announced that she was too old for dolls and they had to go. It was like a punch in the gut. What is the rush?
I discussed this with my daughter who quickly reminded me that there are other mothers and fathers out there who limit use of game systems, etc. Although choices are personal, many are effected by where we live and who we are. Television and game systems are not meant to fill a growing mind. It’s the parenting that should count while the child is growing up, up, and away. I hope parents become more proactive, promote reading, outside play, cooperative play, and imaginative play.
on Jul 24th, 2009 at 3:53 pm
I know what you mean — in our neighborhood, while I give you that it is hot out, we hardly ever see kids outside just PLAYING. When I hear mothers in the downtown area talking, they are talking about the scheduled playdates that their kids have and they are filled with STUFF….. not just time for kids to use their imaginations and go outside to run, jump, build forts, ride bikes, play tag, etc.
And then people wonder why there are so many more obese children and children with “adult” diseases such as heart disease, what used to be called “adult onset” diabetes, arthritis, etc. I really feel bad for the kids. Plus when I go to the mall (which is almost NEVER, because it is SCARY), I cannot believe the “fashion” for little and younger kids, OMG it looks almost pornographic sometimes…. I’m just glad my kids are grown up!!
on Jul 24th, 2009 at 4:22 pm
Lorie,
Grandchildren get exposed to this too. Very different world than the one I grew up in.
Pat.
on Jul 25th, 2009 at 11:51 pm
Pat when my 3 year old grandson comes over to my house I always say to him, “let’s go outside and play”. I take him to the park and we swing and I go on the slide with him and the most fun is when we play using his imagination. He came over the other day and we chased fireflies and blew bubbles and hunted in the yard for dandelions to make a wish on one. I gave him a play shovel and let him dig an area in the yard. He had a ball and did not want to go home!
I give him a book almost every week and I love to sit and read with him. Kids don’t need expensive battery operated toys!!
Great article!
on Jul 26th, 2009 at 9:52 am
Janet,
I agree. My grandson was much like that until he AGED. Now a teen, peers and electronics are huge.
Pat.
on Jul 26th, 2009 at 8:07 pm
I wish things would go back to a simpler time. Where are the kids? I just don’t see them playing outside and just having fun. The kids today are too busy with technology. Its time this country slows down and not worry so much about bigger and better!
on Jul 26th, 2009 at 10:35 pm
Judy,
It is the way we live and work and how we choose to parent our kids.
Pat.
on Jul 27th, 2009 at 10:39 pm
We limit computer and game time. In fact we have been making sure we are all playing outside. We have been swimming, biking and rollerblading. Last week the entire neighborhood played capture the flag. Young and Old had a blast. Alison has never liked dolls but stuffed animals are never in short supply.
on Jul 28th, 2009 at 8:16 am
Kelly,
Good for you;, better for your family; best for your kids. Now builds later.
Pat.