Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Baby Doll Turf Wars

I didn’t play with baby dolls much as a child. Familiarity with any kind of ball – basketball, softball, tennis ball – came much more natural to me than any type of toy requiring a bottle or diaper change. Baby Alive, the life like doll whose claim to fame was that it actually ate and then disposed of waste in human like fashion, made my stomach crawl with indignation at the lack of respect for privacy by the folks at Hasbro. As a child, I remember wondering how one could derive fun from this process of intake and elimination, and distinctly recall making a point to my parents that it NOT be added to the wish list submitted to Santa.

Lack of interest in plastic infants completely befuddled my baby-loving mom. Babies of all shapes, sizes and colors drew her interest wherever we went, demonstrating a supernatural magnetic pull that would guide her to the nearest child in a baby carriage. Many times in the mall, with teenage arms defiantly crossed over my chest, I would roll my eyes impatiently as my mom ooohed and aaaaahed over each baby that represented a physical obstacle to the jelly shoes I needed to purchase or the spiral perm waiting for me at Regis Hair Salon.

Ironically, and because God has the best sense of humor of anyone I know, my daughter L.O.V.E.S. baby dolls. Every special occasion fulfills her repeated and now very predictable request, for a new baby. Her collection is extensive, loving each individual doll in the fascinating manner that only a four year old can muster, and a joy to behold. I fully support Mary Mac’s baby doll habit. I do. Imaginative play and conversations that I overhear are a priceless memory I beg my sleep-deprived brain to always remember.

HOWEVER.

It has become increasingly more difficult to maintain any sense of order in my home with the growing family of babies that somehow leak into every room in our house. She sets up her dolls in various rooms –which I don’t mind – but what has become an issue, is that the dolls are left behind, leaving a somewhat cluttered mess that I usually return to her bedroom.

Here is an example:

Mary Mac’s family of babies at the “movies”:



She leaves the room to play outside, and because it is the end of the day, and her dad is expected home any minute, and I pridefully want to prove that I do more in this house than blog and talk on the phone, I scurry around to return the living room to its original state and the dolls to their rightful place.

(big breath)



About fifteen minutes later, and right after I start supper, I find this:



And because it is the end of the day, and her dad is expected home any minute, and I pridefully want to prove that I do more in this house than blog and talk on the phone, I scurry around to return the living room to its original state.

(big breath)

Are you starting to detect the daily pattern involving these babies?

Some sort of peace treaty approach is going to be necessary to solve the baby doll turf wars between Mary Mac and me. Other than averting her attention to other interests like jelly shoes and spiral perms, I’m not sure what to do.

Any friendly suggestions?

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

clearly, we are pro-life.

Joni said...

Absolutely.

Maureen said...

My daughter who is now nine also loved her babies and still on occasion will play with them. Her baby doll habit unfortunately has grown into the more expensive American Girl habit!

I like you, never played much with dolls but have loved watching my daughter. We had the same problem with the "mess." We never really solved it though as she got older and I got less tolerant they would occasionally get extended time outs (the dolls!) in my closet. Usually she would remember to put them away for a while after that.

Enjoy, though - sure beats video games!

Joni said...

Daisy-

Hmmmmm...closet timeouts. I like it.

If you hear Mary Mac squalling all the way in your midwest area, just know that I have implemented your suggestion.

Thanks for the idea.

Anonymous said...

This is my world times 2-we have movie theaters, doctors offices, daycare, school(where each one has a piece of paper and a writing utensil in front of them) and the list gets more creative. Often making beds is a 30 minute job of clearing babies first. I finally made a few no babies left behind zones and then just joyfully smile at their nuturing selves and think that this will pass and I may actually miss it.
Missed you on Monday.
Lauren

Mom of Eleven said...

Cracking up, as just tonight we found a half dressed Barbie stuck under an end table in the Den. Glad the State Lady didn't see that during licensing last week.

Anywho. . . love the dolls and the new digs on the blog.

And. . no advice, just leave them out I say. . it looks precious.
w

Joni said...

Lauren-
I like the idea of baby free zones. Thanks!

Wendy -
I also may just leave the mess. Can you tell John that he can still watch the football game with a baby under his behind? Also, while you have his attention, tell him you stopped by during the day and saw me cleaning and ironing like a MANIAC. : )

Anonymous said...

Trust me - be happy with the baby dolls. It could be worse. Has Mary Mac entered the world of Polly Pockets? Such glorious fun! Lots of little clothes and tiny shoes all over the house! Then we also have the gazillion naked barbie dolls everywhere. Jeff Foxworthy calls that the "Naked Barbie Woodstock" and oh let's not forget the expensive American Girl Dolls with clothes that cost more than my Target outfits. So be thankful for those fully clothed baby dolls. It could be a lot worse - instead of carrying around a baby doll EC carries around a stuffed lemur and a Transformer.

Joni said...

Tracy-
How funny! I have a friend, Mary, whose children don't know that Barbies come with shoes. She throws them away before her children know.

So sneaky and so smart... (hey Mary!)

laurie said...

We have the same problem, but we it's multiplied times two at our house--both Molly and Sadie love dolls. I use it as a form of discipline sometimes, they both have a "favorite" doll and if they misbehave I take the baby for a while. It sometimes gets their attention, other times they just go find another one and continue to do whatever they want :-)

Joni said...

Laurie -
I think Mary Mac would do the same:
"go find another one and continue to do whatever they want"

Maybe I could hide all of them?

Joni said...

Laurie -
I think Mary Mac would do the same:
"go find another one and continue to do whatever they want"

Maybe I could hide all of them?