I am anxious to get my daughter a "starter doll". She has a lot of dolls, and a bitty baby, but I really want to get her a "big girl" doll.She loves mine so much.
I am currently searching for a fixer upper to be her first doll, since she is so young.She would of course, be supervised while she was playing with her doll and put the doll away safely afterwards.
Would I be just as good to pick up a generic 18"? Or Should I keep searching for an AG to fix up for her? Am I being too picky? I just really want her to bond with the AG dolls early on- I plan to do a lot of shopping over the years,lol.
<font color="#051E50" size="1">[ June 14, 2005 03:40 PM: Message edited by: American_Mommy ]</font>
I think getting a fixer upper AG is a great idea. As long as you dont end up putting more work and money than its worth into it. That way you wont have to worry about her ruining an expensive, new doll. How old is your daughter? Just out of curiosity. Because I think its important that the history aspect be part of having AGs.
I totally agree about the history part, but I like the today girls too.Every night, I read with my youngest son and my daughter.She does not understand everything we read, but she still loves to listen.
I am looking for a doll in just about any condition, because what I can't fix will not bother her.I just need the doll to be affordable.She will get new dolls when she is older, but I like to hope her first doll will always hold a special place in her heart.
I plan to use the doll to help her learn to be careful and respectful of her AG dolls.She is already so sweet and so gentle with her babies that I am sure it will never be a problem.
She is very young, only 19 months old, but she already loves to do anything she sees me doing, be it cleaning house, cooking, or playing dolls.I am so glad... I waited 27 years for somebody to play dolls with, and she is the perfect playmate.
19 months is a little younger than I'd envisioned. On the other hand, I got my first Raggedy Ann doll when I was 30 months old (2 1/2) and she is still a true companion for me. I guess I might consider waiting so this doll will come from Santa, as my Raggedy Ann did, because that makes her even more magical.
I would also consider looking for a short haired doll. Kit's hair, for example, wouldn't tangle as badly as Sam's or Marisol's. If you find a longhaired doll, perhaps keeping her hair in braids is a possibility. I don't know much about kids but I've seen loads of matted haired AGs at AG events and it's a sad thing for everyone.
It's great that you are creating such a warm, doll friendly environment for your daughter. I'm sure you will share many years of special moments together as a result.
My youngest Kailey is 18 months old this month. She loves AG and wants just what her big sister has. I tried the Tolly girls (we have three) and she wasn't interested BUT if Rachel left her door open.....
"Mama Doll Doll" She loves Lissie the best. She is much more gentle than I would have thought. I remind her to be nice to the dollies.
In April at AGPC I got Kailey AGOT 21 - she seemed easy enough to look after. She LOVES her! I help her brush the hair and Kailey just likes to hold her. She has "supervised" play time with her doll. I don't let her drag it around. But she definately knows the difference between real and fake!
I tried Ebay but couldn't justify $60+ for a doll that needed so much work. Especially with the free ship (if you pay 60 on ebay at least 15-20 more to ship = a brand new doll). I just have to remind myself that "dolly" is hers and just to let her have fun.
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Ok, how much is affordable?I am looking for a doll in just about any condition, because what I can't fix will not bother her.I just need the doll to be affordable.She will get new dolls when she is older, but I like to hope her first doll will always hold a special place in her heart.
Because within the next week or so (whenever she gets here) I may be selling AGT17. It depends on how well I bond with her, and how much I can sell her for (what can I say, I'm really broke LOL)
I'm all for letting kids play with them. Most parents really don't give thier kids enough credit. I think the average 3 or 4 year old is quite capable of taking care of even more delicate dolls. Just make sure to reinterate how important taking care of it is, keep the scissors hidden (no surprise haircuts) and they are fine!
My opinion on the generics is that if you give it to a child thinking it's disposable, that's exactly what will happen! Kids take our lead, and if we think of a doll as a disposable knockoff, so will they.
<font color="#051E50" size="1">[ June 14, 2005 04:27 PM: Message edited by: GreyMyst ]</font>
Yes, we were thinking about Christmas, if I can wait that long, lol.
I know she is young, but I just can't wait to start her on the AG path.
When I was little, My Mom had china dolls.They were "special" and I was not allowed to play with them.
When I turned 7, I got my own china doll,which was odd to me, because that was my Mother's collection, not mine... I was not allowed to play with her either.Over the years, I got more china dolls.Oh, how I grew to hate those ice faced, staring things.(no offense to anyone who loves china dolls)
My only play dolls were gifts from my Granny.I miss her *sniff*
I want to make sure AG dolls do not seem like "Mommy's thing". I want it to be something we have shared sine the very beggining.I am sorry if I sound sappy, lol, I just love my little Girl and our dolls. [img]smile.gif[/img]
I have two terrific boys that I love dearly too, but they have never really wanted to play dolls with me. [img]wink.gif[/img]
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Sorry, we must have been posting at the same time earlier.Ok, how much is affordable?
Ok, Now I am going to sound...ummm... thrifty (is that the nice word for it,lol)
I am a SAHM with no source of income of my own, so for anything I buy, I have to sell something else, so I have learned to shop carefully.
Ideally, I would like to find a nude doll (I can sew) With no missing fingers or toes, but otherwise I can handle most problems, for around $30 or less with minimal shipping.I keep a close eye on Ebay, but so far, everything I watch seems to have $12 shipping, or else gets bid up around $40 +.
My daughter will be 3 in September. My oldest turned 8 last week and had an American Girl slumber party. It was a blast. I knew my youngest was in LOVE with Nellie so I asked my daughter's friend to bring hers so maybe my youngest would stay out of their way and have something exciting to do. I have been a collector of dolls for 7 years now and so my youngest has grown up with knowing all about how to respect dolls. She was absolutely wonderful with this Nellie and cried her little heart out when she had to go home the next morning. I broke down and bought her, her own Nellie to save for her 3rd birthday but of course just couldn't and she now has her very own Nellie. I know she is way to young to understand any historical value of Nellie but she loves her short hair and is just in love with this doll. She has to sleep with her all the time and when ever she is not in eye shot asks where she is along with her little Nellie. It all depends on the child but I see nothing wrong with buying her a brand new doll because I know she respects her and also to me these are play dolls and that is half the fun. My oldest has a custom My Twinn who looks exactly like her and I never let her play with her which has led her to not liking her as much as she likes her Kit who can go everywhere with her!
Wow! My girls are a few months older than your daughter [img]smile.gif[/img] They are not ready yet to handle an AG doll! BUT my oldest son at their age would have been (had he been a girl)! Maybe because there are two of them to get into things they seem less responsible LOL
I am anxious to play dolls with my girls too! Hopefully we won't have to wait too much longer [img]smile.gif[/img]
I would second the Kit recommendation - because of the short hair. I was thinking of Nellie too.
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