Monster Mom

[judifilksign]

I was at Toys R Us, having Sparkle pick out a toy for a friend's birthday party.  She'd picked out Dr. Girlfriend, and I was hinting that perhaps a different toy might be better (as neither eight-year-old has ever seen Venture Brothers, and aren't likely to in the future, and I wasn't sure a "Dr.  Girlfriend" would go over well.)

We still had Dr. Girlfriend in the cart, though, dressed in her hot pink Jackie O outfit.  Sparkle stops at the Monster High dolls.  Another little girl says to her very coiffed mother, "Here they are, mom!"

The mother looks at the Monster High dolls skeptically.  "They're kindof creepy," she says disdainfully.  "Like creepy Barbies.  Who makes creepy Barbies?  Why would they even make creepy Barbies?"  She turns to me.  "Do you know why they even make these things like this?"

I say, "Each doll is different from Barbie.  I think the idea is that if you have a doll you love that is really different, and play with them along with your traditional Barbies, then you'll be more likely to think different is okay, and play with different kids."

"I don't want my kids to play with kids like that." the mother stated flatly.

I stood blinking at her, somewhat stunned.  I mean, that's the kind of statement someone might make inside their head, but out loud like that?  Wow.  I didn't know what to do with it and still be nice.  I found myself wondering if the mother was being that way because she could tell Sparkle was different, or because she couldn't.  (Either bad.)

The little girl pointed to the werewolf doll.  "Pleeeease, Mommy?"

"No!" barks the mother.

The little girl turns wistfully to Sparkle, as if seeking support.

"I'm sorry," says Sparkle.  "Your mommy doesn't want you to be friends with me."  And Sparkle took the Cleo (Mummy's daughter) doll for the party.  Stunned, I trailed in Sparkle's wake, thinking there was nothing else I could say, or wanted to, to top that.

Comments

[daisy-knotwise.livejournal.com]

I don't know the dolls you are speaking of, but I think you may be judging the mom a bit harshly. You may see people who are different, another ethnicity, or differently abled. She may not be a fan of the current fantasies, but sees the dolls as monsters, scary, nasty, Hammer Films kind of monsters.
To her they might fall into the category of snakes, spiders and public speaking.

For instance, Zombies are popular right now. They are considered fun. They make me very uncomfortable. You can have fun with zombies. I'll find other things to do, thank you. Does this make me evil?

We don't know what pushes other people's buttons.
GHR

[peteralway.livejournal.com]

After googling up these toys, I am amused. I think their exaggerated Barbiness is far more creepy than their toned-down monstrousness.

[chryssalys]

Woo! You go, Sparkle! *wild applause from all members of this household*

[johno.livejournal.com]

Sparkle may be far more perceptive then anyone thought. It's that she's just now learning how to vocalize her perceptions.

[darcy807.livejournal.com]

You are an awesome mom who is raising a brilliant daughter.

[dormouse-in-tea.livejournal.com]

Sparkle is AMAZING. And so is her mom.

[sweetmusic-27.livejournal.com]

*snorfles* Booyah! Go Sparkle, and go you. *tips hat*

And a little child shall lead them...

[thatcrazycajun.livejournal.com]

Sounds like you are definitely doing *something* right; the more I hear about Sparkle, the more I like her and hope to meet her one day real soon. Good on you both.

[catsittingstill.livejournal.com]

Go you for trying for tolerance.

Go Sparkle for speaking truth to power.

Go other daughter for being more tolerant (or at least more interested in difference) than her mother. May she grow up unscathed.

[mneme]

What strikes me here is Sparkle's perceptiveness. She's an amazing kid!