This is me admitting I was wrong.

[ghoti_mhic_uait]

I've said a lot of things in the past about how I didn't see how it would ever make sense to buy a four year old an American Girl doll. They're really expensive items, that need to be cared for properly, not just played with roughly. However, obviously we have some around. They live on top of the bookshelf, out of Judith's reach. Sometimes, she asks to get one down. I was utterly shocked when I saw Colin had taken Kirsten down for her, but I didn't say anything, just watched. She was so gentle, just hugged her, stroked her hair, and held her hand. Since then she's had Kirsten a couple of times, and also Kit. Each time, she's asked specifically (and she can say Kirsten and Kit now*). She plays for a while, then when she's finished, she asks me to put her back.

She still needs supervision, but she's two. If she can be gentle like that now, I can see she might be trusted to be gentle (enough to have Kit in her room, say) in a couple of years. If J can, so can other children.



*Judith shows Kit to Colin.

Me: "Can you tell Daddy her name?"
J: "Daddy"

Comments

no need to be so humble

[firinel.livejournal.com]

I think that part of the reason that she can be and is that gentle with them is that she's been taught, through demonstration, that these are items with which we take great care. That's not true for all children.

Basically, I think when you say "If J can, so can other children", you're leaving the sentence unfinished, and could be completed as "If J can, so can other children whose wonderful parents have taught them to be conscientious."

Re: no need to be so humble

[ghoti.livejournal.com]

I see your point, but actually Judith isn't a careful child, as two year olds go. I don't mean that every child can do what Judith can do, anyway... I mean, she does four or five different jumps on the trampoline and can ride her trike and Benedict's skateboard, which I wouldn't imagine all two year olds could. But if she can, I imagine she's not the only one.

Re: no need to be so humble

[rmc28]

Charles can be very gentle with his toys too (at 4). He's been playing babies a lot with his teddies, very gently cuddling and carrying and putting them down and tucking them into blankets and so on.

He's rarely rough, but he can be quite careless at times (treading/sitting on things, spilling things, etc).

Re: no need to be so humble

[ghoti.livejournal.com]

It was the carelessness I was thinking of, rather than roughness.

[marnanel.livejournal.com]

This was such a beautiful post to read!

[james-r.livejournal.com]

Aww :)

[valkyriekaren.livejournal.com]

What is a American Girl doll? I tried searching but got lots of random stuff (and some porn). How is it different to an ordinary doll, and why are they not to be played with (and what ARE they for)?

[ghoti.livejournal.com]

They're a series of dolls with books, based on fictional character from various points in American history. They're aimed at children over 8, so are made accordingly delicate. They are intended to be played with, just not by children so young.

[valkyriekaren.livejournal.com]

I see!

They should do a British version. I'd totally have a Boudicca, or an Elizabeth I.

[ghoti.livejournal.com]

There was a British version, called A British Child. There were two dolls, an Elizabethan and a Victorian. I have the Elizabethan one. They cost £55 each and the books were dire. I think that'
where they went wrong - I gather American children read the books first,like them, and then buy the dolls (which cost $95 and if you've read the book that comes with they change it).