I Misjudged That One

I made a mistake recently.

I gave my son the American Girls catalogue to look at (along with a bunch of other toy catalogues). He likes the idea that he got mail and the toy catalogues tend to help him create his letter to Santa. Last year it worked beautifully. His lists of what needed to go in his letter were somewhat generic (with the exception of the big orange rescue helicopter) and every last one was easy to find. After all, a train and robot exist in every toyshop in some fashion.

I didn’t think he’d want a doll, because lately he’s become very aware of gender roles and stereotypes so I figured it was safe. No request for hundred dollar dollies would be coming my way.

Wow, was I wrong.

He was soooo excited to see a catalogue filled with nothing but “babies.” He told me he wanted to find his baby so that he could be the Daddy. And he apparently couldn’t find one in the Fisher-Price catalogue…no, it was the American Girl one where he found “his” baby.

Darn it.

The funny thing was, he didn’t pick one who looked like him. No blonde, green-eyed, fair skinned dolls. He wanted dark haired, dark-eyed, and olive skinned. Like his Daddy.
I’m going to have to see if I can steer him towards a different doll. I’m all for him getting a “baby” of his own. I’m even for him getting clothes, a bed, and other accessories so he can more fully play at being a Daddy. I don’t mind if he wants a doll that looks like his Dad. In fact, I want him to have a doll to play Daddy with and I like the idea that he picks what one he likes. But I balk at spending that much money for a doll that doesn’t come with the full gamut of clothes and accessories.

Especially for a three year old boy who I’m pretty sure will outgrow it faster than any girl.