As a mother of young girls who LOVE American Girl®, I often wonder, who is the bigger AG fan??  Is it really my girls, or is it their mama?
Mothers shape their children through their every word and action.  We shape our children by our attitude, our likes and dislikes. We even shape them by the things that we don't say and don't do. 
Our love and nurturing begins to mold them at our first meeting.  That first time you looked your child in the eyes, they knew the love and comfort of a mother.  From the newborn phase of depending on mom to meet their basic needs for survival to being comforted by mom's loving touch, baby is learning more than words can ever express. 
Toddlers begin to copy mom with everything they do.  Think back to the first time that you heard your toddler mimic the things that you say.  Think of the times that your little shadow tried to walk in your heels or wear your clothes.  Our children learn how to react to life's events by the way that their mother responds.  They learn love and fear, joy and , all from their parents.  (Dad has great influence too!  Today's parents have an equal partnership with raising their children and while I don't want to overlook dad's role, I do speak from a mother's perspective.) 
While our goal of raising our girls into great women seems daunting, (let's face it, it is!!)  somehow, we manage.  Its a daily challenge in many ways and can seem overwhelming.  That is why I look for assistance in any way that I can find it.  Let me rephrase that.  In any good, moral, loving, caring, generous and otherwise positive influential way that I can find it.  With so many things fighting for our attention, its hard to maintain the focus and to have the time and energy to devote to molding today's young girls.
That is where American Girl® has come in handy for me.  I hear from many moms who say that they have young daughters that they can't wait to give their first AG doll to.  It makes me wonder if the moms really are the bigger fans!
These dolls are not just toys but they embody the qualities that mothers want to pass on to their daughters.  They provide opportunities to bond with and teach life's lessons and ethics.  Samantha was the first American Girl® doll to enter our home.  She was kind and considerate of others.  She had great manners and respect for her elders.  She showed love and generosity to those that were less fortunate.  She was a true friend.  She was brave enough to speak out against the atrocities of her time and even braver to do something about them.  Samantha was accepting of new people and their ideas, even when they were different from what she had known but at the same time, she stood up for what was right.  Samantha is just the sort of girl that we wish lived in our neighborhood so she can influence our daughters in a positive way.  With these dolls coming to life in their stories, they can! 
I don't even have to mention how they promote reading and study of American History.  We all know that.  I don't have to tell you how playing with dolls can keep our girls from "growing up too fast" and experiencing the dangers that we want to steer them away from.  These dolls do so much for our children and reach a place with them that is increasingly difficult for parents to reach.  We are teaching them, without them knowing it, which is the easiest way to teach.
I encourage all the moms (and even the dads) out there to take some time to get to know your daughter's favorite doll.  Take some time to play and imagine.  You will  see these qualities take root in your daughter and get a glimpse of the woman that she will become. 
Take a moment to be honest with me.  Let me know if you "planted" the love for these dolls in your daughter, or was it all her idea?  Pat yourself on the back for welcoming such a great and effective teaching tool into your home.  You've done great, Mom!