Never Too Old to Play with American Girl Dolls!
As the founding mom, affectionately called the "Dolly Mama" of My 18 Inch Doll Inc, I have been asked some very interesting questions.
Most common are age related questions. Many parents want to know what the appropriate age is to introduce their daughter to American Girl dolls while other parents want to know when their daughter will outgrow their dolls. No matter what end of the spectrum your daughter may be on, I have an answer for you.
Having four daughters who currently range in age from 16 to 3, I have experiences every stage of playing with dolls. I guess that's why they call me the "Dolly Mama!"
It is different for every child so I usually start my answer with, "Parents know what's best for their daughter....." While 3 if very young, in my opinion too young for a child to care for such a valuable doll, I often suggest that parents start them on a less expensive equivalent doll. My favorite alternative in 18 inch dolls is Madame Alexander. They have beautiful dolls at a considerable savings. (We'll soon have them available on our website. Currently they are available at our store in Carousel Center mall in Syracuse NY.) They are the same size as American Girl dolls so any investment that you make in clothing, furniture or accessories can be handed down to an American Girl doll when your daughter is ready for that upgrade. Its a great way to teach younger girls to be responsible and to take good care of an expensive doll like an American Girl doll. No matter which doll you chose, I would caution you to teach your daughter to use only a wig brush on any doll hair. It will help to keep the doll's hair shiny and it keeps away the frizzies, my personal pet peeve. Also, using anything else will cause an American Girl doll's hair to fall out. Be sure to teach them right, right from the star no matter what doll they start witht. Tell them that dolly has a very special brush for her hair.
Generally little girls start asking for an American Girl doll when they are about 5 if they have an older sister who has one. If they are the oldest daughter in your family, this requests usually starts at about 7 years old. Some 5 year old girls may be ready. One of my girls was 5 when she got her first American Girl doll, Felicity. She has taken very good care of her and has always been responsible and gentle with her doll.
Another of my daughters is currently 5 and a half years old and she is clearly not ready for an American Girl doll. We have tried alternative brands and she has failed the test. We often find them in bizarre places like under the couch cushions or just plain missing in action. She also still has difficulty with writing on things that she should not be writing on. Magic Eraser by Mr. Clean has been a lifesaver! She loses clothing and accessories as well. Her dolls, if they have shoes on their feet, never match. She is clearly not ready and that's okay. We'll continue to teach her to be responsible and when we think she's ready we'll follow family tradition and let her chose her special American Girl doll.
Every child is different and parent's know best. If you're unsure, test her with a less costly alternative but be sure to make that dolly just as special and offer advice on how to care for her. Teach the same rules that would apply to a genuine American Girl doll and she'll soon be ready for an upgrade.
To tackle the next question...
Many parents ask when their daughter might outgrow their dolls because they don't want their investment in clothing, furniture or accessories for their American Girl doll to go to waste. What a shame it would be to purchase a beautiful outfit for American Girl dolls just for it to never be played with. That again, varies by the girl. Many girls that have younger sisters will continue to play with their American Girl doll well beyond the suggested age of 8-12. My oldest daughter would still occasionally bring her dolls out to play dress up complete with hairdos and a fashion show even after she was 14. We may have to get clever but we can keep them playing with dolls longer. It will keep them innocent longer as well. Try conducting a fashion show for younger sisters or cousins. Try a photo shoot after their make overs. If your older daughter likes to sew or craft, guide her in fashion design while she makes clothing or accessories for her doll. Its still a great way to role play and encourage better communication between daughter and mother which is needed even more as our girls enter their teen years.
Over time the way that they play may change so put on your thinking caps moms and guide them to continue imaginative role play with their dolls. Eventually they may want to display their dolls rather than play with them. Let them develop interior design skills by creating a display with their dolls and furniture. Showcase it in the living room for all to see. Encourage her to change it up for each season and to dress her dolls accordingly. Jump in and help her, making it a fun and creative assignment. Take advantage of the teaching opportunity. You may not have those opportunities for much longer.
When I meet a young lady while I'm working I am always sure to encourage them to continue to play with their dolls. I always tell them, "Look how old I am! I'm still playing with dolls! You're never too old!" You just never know what it may turn into.
Years ago, I met a travel agent who works for Disney. She told me how when she was a child, her parents would always let her and her sister miss one week of school each school year so they could take them to Disney World at a lower cost than the higher priced peak vacation times that coincided with school vacations. She told me how her teachers and school principal would protest and how family and friends would criticize her parents. Well, look at her now! She has a terrific job with Disney and gets to travel the world every day of the year! I'd say that her parents made the right choice.
What we encourage in our daughters today, will be manifested in their adult lives and trust me, there's nothing wrong with playing with dolls for a living!
Let me know if you have any doll related questions and I'll answer them in my next blog!!
Most common are age related questions. Many parents want to know what the appropriate age is to introduce their daughter to American Girl dolls while other parents want to know when their daughter will outgrow their dolls. No matter what end of the spectrum your daughter may be on, I have an answer for you.
Having four daughters who currently range in age from 16 to 3, I have experiences every stage of playing with dolls. I guess that's why they call me the "Dolly Mama!"
It is different for every child so I usually start my answer with, "Parents know what's best for their daughter....." While 3 if very young, in my opinion too young for a child to care for such a valuable doll, I often suggest that parents start them on a less expensive equivalent doll. My favorite alternative in 18 inch dolls is Madame Alexander. They have beautiful dolls at a considerable savings. (We'll soon have them available on our website. Currently they are available at our store in Carousel Center mall in Syracuse NY.) They are the same size as American Girl dolls so any investment that you make in clothing, furniture or accessories can be handed down to an American Girl doll when your daughter is ready for that upgrade. Its a great way to teach younger girls to be responsible and to take good care of an expensive doll like an American Girl doll. No matter which doll you chose, I would caution you to teach your daughter to use only a wig brush on any doll hair. It will help to keep the doll's hair shiny and it keeps away the frizzies, my personal pet peeve. Also, using anything else will cause an American Girl doll's hair to fall out. Be sure to teach them right, right from the star no matter what doll they start witht. Tell them that dolly has a very special brush for her hair.
Generally little girls start asking for an American Girl doll when they are about 5 if they have an older sister who has one. If they are the oldest daughter in your family, this requests usually starts at about 7 years old. Some 5 year old girls may be ready. One of my girls was 5 when she got her first American Girl doll, Felicity. She has taken very good care of her and has always been responsible and gentle with her doll.
Another of my daughters is currently 5 and a half years old and she is clearly not ready for an American Girl doll. We have tried alternative brands and she has failed the test. We often find them in bizarre places like under the couch cushions or just plain missing in action. She also still has difficulty with writing on things that she should not be writing on. Magic Eraser by Mr. Clean has been a lifesaver! She loses clothing and accessories as well. Her dolls, if they have shoes on their feet, never match. She is clearly not ready and that's okay. We'll continue to teach her to be responsible and when we think she's ready we'll follow family tradition and let her chose her special American Girl doll.
Every child is different and parent's know best. If you're unsure, test her with a less costly alternative but be sure to make that dolly just as special and offer advice on how to care for her. Teach the same rules that would apply to a genuine American Girl doll and she'll soon be ready for an upgrade.
To tackle the next question...
Many parents ask when their daughter might outgrow their dolls because they don't want their investment in clothing, furniture or accessories for their American Girl doll to go to waste. What a shame it would be to purchase a beautiful outfit for American Girl dolls just for it to never be played with. That again, varies by the girl. Many girls that have younger sisters will continue to play with their American Girl doll well beyond the suggested age of 8-12. My oldest daughter would still occasionally bring her dolls out to play dress up complete with hairdos and a fashion show even after she was 14. We may have to get clever but we can keep them playing with dolls longer. It will keep them innocent longer as well. Try conducting a fashion show for younger sisters or cousins. Try a photo shoot after their make overs. If your older daughter likes to sew or craft, guide her in fashion design while she makes clothing or accessories for her doll. Its still a great way to role play and encourage better communication between daughter and mother which is needed even more as our girls enter their teen years.
Over time the way that they play may change so put on your thinking caps moms and guide them to continue imaginative role play with their dolls. Eventually they may want to display their dolls rather than play with them. Let them develop interior design skills by creating a display with their dolls and furniture. Showcase it in the living room for all to see. Encourage her to change it up for each season and to dress her dolls accordingly. Jump in and help her, making it a fun and creative assignment. Take advantage of the teaching opportunity. You may not have those opportunities for much longer.
When I meet a young lady while I'm working I am always sure to encourage them to continue to play with their dolls. I always tell them, "Look how old I am! I'm still playing with dolls! You're never too old!" You just never know what it may turn into.
Years ago, I met a travel agent who works for Disney. She told me how when she was a child, her parents would always let her and her sister miss one week of school each school year so they could take them to Disney World at a lower cost than the higher priced peak vacation times that coincided with school vacations. She told me how her teachers and school principal would protest and how family and friends would criticize her parents. Well, look at her now! She has a terrific job with Disney and gets to travel the world every day of the year! I'd say that her parents made the right choice.
What we encourage in our daughters today, will be manifested in their adult lives and trust me, there's nothing wrong with playing with dolls for a living!
Let me know if you have any doll related questions and I'll answer them in my next blog!!
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