Bratz Dolls

Hi B.,

I'd have to agree with your husband and mother. I can't think of anything positive to say about these dolls. My husband rented a Bratz video for my 4 year old over the summer, not knowing anything about Bratz. I was really disturbed by the way the characters were dressed (like single women on the night club scene) and the way they talked. Conversations consisting of "Oh my god, that is like soooo totally cool"..."dude, check out that hottie". After less than 5 minutes of total mindlessness, I took the video out and told my husband to take it back to Blockbuster.

Since my daughter isn't big on dolls yet, I don't know what's out there. I'd personally like to find dolls that are positive role models of varying races in various professional careers. Maybe someone has some suggestions for more positive role model type dolls?

Best wishes,
~G. G.
Peaceful Parents Co-Founder

My almost 7 y/o is not allowed to have them or play w/them and she doesn't really care. I guess b/c from the first time I saw them I told her I didn't like them b/c of the way they dressed, I didn't think it was appropriate. That's really the only reason, I know nothing else about the dolls. She doesn't care though, she knows we don't approve of that type of dress.

Bonnie,

When I first saw the Bratz dolls, (before I had a child of my own, or a niece), I decided that the world was coming to an end. I thought those dolls were a sure sign of the apocalypse and whoever designed them was going straight to hell. Then they came out with Bratz Babies...baby dolls that are scantily clad and sometimes where only a diapers and eyeshadow! What is this world coming to? Since then I have eased up a bit. I have two nieces (2 and 3) and a baby boy of my own. I'm realizing that the toys I played with (She-Ra and Barbie) probably shocked and appalled people in my family too. My 2-year-old niece loves the Bratz dolls. Her mother doesn't have a problem with them. My 3-year-old niece doesn't know they exist. Her mother doesn't have cable in the house, so she's never seen a commercial for them. They are both sweet girls and I don't think the dolls will make a difference in their lives because they both come from loving families who take an active interest in their children. It's all about what you instill in your children and how you bring them up. If your husband and MIL have a problem with the dolls, maybe you can explain to them that your daughter isn't allowed to dress like the dolls and she knows the difference between pretend and reality. Ask them to talk with her about it. Tell them to consider how they would have felt if their parents took away their favorite toys when they were children.

Good luck.

-T.

My 7 year old LOVES Bratz dolls. I think part of the reason she likes them so much is that when she first noticed them about 2 years ago, I gave a resounding no. She then became obsessed with them, and my dear MIL did not know about the ban on Bratz, and gave her one for Christmas.

To make a long story short, I have since decided to pick and choose my battles. They are not that big of a deal. Both my 7 and 5 year old know that I do not like them because of the name and the way they dress, and the emphasis on shopping and going to the mall. Each one has a doll that she somtimes plays with. They say they are the dolls "mommy doesn't like" and they know why.

I have a ban that I do enforce on several Cartoon Network shows, like Ed, Edd & Eddy and Billy & Mandy, which I flatly refuse to allow them to watch, no exceptions (the pick and choose mentioned above). They understand that I do not want them to watch shows where the characters are deliberately mean to each other and do things to hurt each other. Even though I bristle at the whole Bratz idea, I did watch a movie with the girls (I don't remember which one) and they do encourage girl friendship, even if it does center around clothes, hair and makeup.

As we all say to each other, follow your gut, only you can decide.