tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702413611645203439.post4574414264688841156..comments2024-03-06T09:52:38.818-05:00Comments on TriadSmartyPants: Barbie Turns 50!Triad Smarty Pantshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01484653709117330420noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702413611645203439.post-5884427793868474632009-08-14T15:31:55.067-04:002009-08-14T15:31:55.067-04:00I agree with the above comment. I played with Bar...I agree with the above comment. I played with Barbie growing up and have no problems accepting my body the way it is. My brother also grew up watching Westerns on a daily basis. He is now 45 and has never shot a gun in his life. As long as we are involved in what our children watch and play with in order to teach them what is and is not appropriate, I think they will be fine. I also watched Popeye on a daily basis, but have never punched anyone in the face!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702413611645203439.post-29138273143406094462009-08-14T10:52:24.593-04:002009-08-14T10:52:24.593-04:00I don't really know where to start on this one...I don't really know where to start on this one. I don't have all day to post, but I just wonder what is happening to childhood these days?? <br />When I was a little kid (back when being a little kid lasted until you were at least 11-12 years old), I played with my Barbie dolls never thinking they were "grown ups" or "sex objects" or anything other than my doll to play with. I think that these days as parents we are so worried about all the "stuff" that is out there that we have somehow created all this hoopla about things being "unacceptable" and "inappropriate" - things that really are just toys.<br />Now I am not implying that everything should be acceptable or permissible, but really, shouldn't our kids just get to be kids and play with toys in creative and imaginative ways like we used to do?? I know we live in a different time when video games and tv and the internet have tainted so much, but it makes me sad that all of a sudden, even poor Barbie is deemed "inappropriate". I think I turned out just fine, Barbie playing and all. In fact, I played with my Barbies until I was well past the age of 12 and I don't think many kids these days play with much of anything past the age of 8 - except for their CELL PHONES!! Hello??? I think Barbie and toy guns are NOT the problem here. Just my two cents. And I always seem to have two cents.Maythihttp://www.rollupthemess.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702413611645203439.post-46529729233612673702009-08-14T10:37:08.223-04:002009-08-14T10:37:08.223-04:00I just KNEW I would get a comment from you on this...I just KNEW I would get a comment from you on this post, Summer! Thanks for all your thoughts!Triad Smarty Pantshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01484653709117330420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702413611645203439.post-52554007557067657512009-08-14T09:17:10.644-04:002009-08-14T09:17:10.644-04:00We don't do Barbie. I don't want all thos...We don't do Barbie. I don't want all those itty bitty little pieces everywhere, and I am wholly uncomfortable with something labeled "fashion doll" as a play thing. Even as a kid I didn't like Barbie, because the story line was a little too complete, and there is just not a lot to "nurture" since she's obviously a grown up. Our kids (two girls and two boys) have 6 baby dolls between them and they have enjoyed that tremendously. But the majority of their imaginative play comes from "shows" dress up performances.<br /><br />We have a rule in our house that if it is a toy Mom and Dad approve up (generally a non electronic, non-plastic toy, that has a long term use, is not character oriented, and has a practical application (learning objective)) we will buy it as the budget allows. But if it does not fit this category and you really want it, you can save up your money and get it for yourself. Our kids have done this a few times and the results have been hilarious. <br /><br />Much like you Katie I also vowed to do no guns and so my son takes every toy we have and pretends it is a gun. I do not condone violence, but I feel like a hypocrite because I grew up with two brothers in the service and we played war ALL the time. (Although playing knights was by far my favorite). Also when I was seven my dad made both my sister and I fire a handgun so we wouldn't be curious and try playing with them. But what if I was a police officer? Or my Husband was an avid hunter that provided meat for our table? <br /><br />So I guess on both accounts Barbie and guns.. I don't know which is the right way to do it. I suppose its all related to creating your family's values and teaching your kids to determine which things fit. Barbie doesn't work for me, and I don't mind teaching that some things are not acceptable because some things are unacceptable. <br /><br />Great post Katie!!Summerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17648541558878208069noreply@blogger.com