Barbie-deprived

I got a call from Sara today. She told me she had something very important to tell me. She told me she brought her Barbie toothbrush to school to show to her friends. At first I thought I heard wrongly, so I asked her again what she brought to school and she repeated "The toothbwush mummy. The Baar-bee toothbwush we bought from last time." "From last time" actually means two nights ago, but I guess for a 4-year old, two days ago is too long ago which also explains why she was shocked to learn I am 36 years old and asked if I played with weal dinasours when I was a kid.

I asked her why she brought the toothbrush and she said "Because it is a Baar-bee toothbwush and I want to show it to my fwiends." Apparently the toothbrush was a big hit. She said, "All fwiends said WOW!"

I think this is symptomatic of my little girl's Barbie-deprivation condition. I don't buy Barbie dolls for my girls. And although I don't stop them from playing with their cousin's Barbies, they know its something that I disapprove. I don't like the idea of them modelling the concept of beauty over a doll that has unrealistic proportions, that has with too many clothes and too much make-up. They get soft toys and other stuff but no Barbie and definitely no Bratz - have you seen those things?? Big head, too little/tight clothes and again, too much make-up and such bad attitude. I'll have none of that in my house, thank you very much.

For Sara to have a Barbie toothbrush is a big deal for her, and a major loosening up on my part. I actually had to think hard at the supermarket aisle to decide if I was going to get her that toothbrush or not. I'm happy she likes it. Does that mean I'll cave in and buy her a Barbie doll? Nah, I don't think so.