need advice

[mmr]

So my son has been in love with "Daphney" from scooby doo since the age of 1. He will be 8 in a few weeks and still loves to dress up and pretend to be her and even play with a barbie that he says is Daphney.

Now I am not against him playing with barbies (Hubby gets ticked terribly) when he was like 4 but don't you think he should be outgrowing this by now?
I don't buy him things like that, but my sister just did last weekend.

Just seeing if I am being silly. I thought by 8 he would have stopped!

[Courtzrocks]

I am guessing he doesn't have sisters? One of my mum's friends has 3 sons and the youngest used to love coming over and playing with my polly pockets and dolls and star castles. He's 15 now and it didnt affect him at all, not saying, you know, that its wrong or anything but yeah, he's a teenage boy with the raging hormones and all now lol. Maybe he just really likes Daphney, like people who like star wars stuff and that princess chick from it.

[Xen]

My cousins friend stole her little mermaid doll when they were around 11... took him a while to grow out of dolls.

I don't see the issue, but if your husband is that bothered why doesn't he go buy toys that he thinks are more suitable and play with him... make cars and power rangers more fun? Also tell your sister no more dollies if it's not what you want him playing with. Of course he's going to play with them if given to him and if they're given to him until he's 14... then he'll play with them until he's 14. He's comfortable and used to them.

[mmr]

Originally Posted by Xen

but if your husband is that bothered why doesn't he go buy toys that he thinks are more suitable and play with him... make cars and power rangers more fun?

That is the thing, my son is very close to me and not his dad. I am far from "girly" and I try to encourage cars, etc. He just loves that thing. It is his most favorite and precious toy. I don't want to take it away because that would really break his heart, but I am more worried that he hasn't outgrown it yet.

[Jannabellsmom]

At 8 he's still very much a child. I wouldn't worry. If you think he may have 'underlying issues' with his development, you could always request an evaluation by the school. My personal feeling is that gentle play is better than 'violent' play,which is often expected of boys. But honestly I don't have a child, just my fid!

[Yeka]

I'm a kindergarten teacher, and my students are younger than your son, but let me tell you, some of my boys absolutely love the doll house, and dress-up clothes, and baby dolls.

I think it does more harm than good to take these type of toys away, as it can confuse them and often makes them want the toys even more. They do grow out of it eventually, but some children take longer than others, and its not usually because they have other issues. It's often just genuine childhood interest. Honestly, if your child had developmental issues, his teachers should have noticed it by now. But I do agree that if you are really worried, you can request an evaluation by the school.

Heck, I played with Barbies until I was 13. Granted, I'm a girl, but I also had a preoccupation with "boy toys" until I was about 10.

I think you have nothing to worry about. :)

[mmr]

Originally Posted by Yeka

Honestly, if your child had developmental issues, his teachers should have noticed it by now. But I do agree that if you are really worried, you can request an evaluation by the school.

I never said anything about this, someone else brought that up. Actually he will be in second grade this fall and hs been in the Accelerated Learning Class (elementary way of saying Honors classes).

I was just thinking 8 is a little old. I am not bothered by it as much than hubby. Alec(my son) also knows that people will tease him if he is seen with a barbie, so that being said he keeps it hidden a lot. The only person he has no problems with seeing him play with it is myself and his younger brother!

[Yeka]

Oh I didn't mean to insinuate that you had said it, I was merely agreeing with the previous poster.

Sorry for being unclear!

[Xen]

I think it's such a shame that he's already learnt that he'll be teased for playing with a doll. You'd think that in 2008 it wouldn't be an issue eh...

I think you no doubt have a happy and healthy son who'll outgrow his Daphnie when the time is right for him. If she's that special to him then let him keep her, but maybe ask your sister to quit with new dolls.

Is he artistic? Maybe an odd question, just curious...

[mmr]

Originally Posted by Xen

Is he artistic? Maybe an odd question, just curious...

OMG you should see the pictures he can draw! Free hand to boot! Of course they are all Daphney! LOL but they are treally good for just a 7 year old. Plus he loves to color, paint, dance etc. He is a lot like me if boys can be like their moms!