My Dad's "Interesting" Definition of Collecting

[jerseycow6]

Yes, same here. My mom and I found her childhood dolls at my grandmother's house, so she had dolls like Ginnys and Shirley Temple and Sally Starr and the Molly I got her when I was in high school. She was more of a "keep it close to its original condition and save the box downstairs in the basement" kind of collector, though. She really enjoyed just displaying the dolls. Molly spent about three years in a place of honor on the dining room table, and the others were displayed in the living room. I have her Molly now, but the rest of the older dolls are still being stored for me back east. I remember when I got the GOML when they went on sale- I could totally see that she loved looking over their gorgeous costumes as much as I did. She used to love to sew, and I'm also into costuming, so it's something we kind of shared. Here, they're just toys and I'm too old.

[alliesunshine]

So sorry your dad's view on collecting is so narrow. I think you are handling things relatively well. Since you live under his roof, it is important to respect his wishes. However, just think that one day when you are on your own, you will be able to display your dolls with pride. Maybe one day he will understand.

By the way I thought your display looked beautiful.

[J9S]

My boyfriend and I got together a few months before my love for AG was rekindled. I had two dolls when I met him, and he knew nothing about them.

Now I have 13 strewn across the top of a bookshelf and another bookshelf completely devoted to the dolls.

He thinks it's cute and he's always very sweet about it. He is actually rather fond of Jess and Samantha (he's been reading the historicals books) and wishes he could have a Samantha.

His parents would totally flip out though, so despite having the money for her, didn't buy her when he could have.

He supports me in my hobby and actually seems disappointed when I go to AGP and he's not able to make the trip with me. He even has his own favorites of the today girls, and not just of my dolls. Of ALL of them. He likes GT24.

I love my boyfriend and know from firsthand experience it doesn't ruin the dating world. If a guy freaks out over it anyhow, it only shows his lack of willingness to understand and support you.

I'm done now--I'm kinda missing my guy at the moment so it was nice to write about one of his very cute attributes. [img]smile.gif[/img]

[AngieBelle]

You know, it's funny- I don't like to think of myself as a "collector" for that exact same reason. I collect for American Girl, but the connotation for collector sounds too adult to me. My dolls aren't display pieces; they are played with as much as any little girl's doll would be. I'm sitting here with Samantha in my lap as I type. I just put her in Molly's aviator outfit.

[Prewitt05]

I'm sorry your father is not understanding. I think it has something to do with not understanding the whole doll thing. Some guys do and some don't.

Your album is great. I love it that the dolls come alive! PS What does "My <3 is still at PSU" mean?

[jerseycow6]

I means "My [img]graemlins/heart.gif[/img] is still at Penn State University... I'm from the East Coast, and I go to Penn State, but I'm in Downey, California for the time being... and I just miss Penn State and PA and Jersey in general.

And Janine_Nicole, it sounds like you found a great guy!

<font color="#33CCCC" size="1">[ July 23, 2006 07:09 PM: Message edited by: jerseycow6 ]</font>

[horsemom]

I don't think that many guys really care that we collect AGs. My husband has no interest in them, but he's very supportive of my collecting. He finds it cute that I am still like a kid inside.

And overall, as far as I know, doll collecting is the #2 thing that people collect in the US. So we aren't unusual at all.

Most doll collectors don't play with their dolls, but they don't necessarily just keep them in boxes for resale either. They are normally displayed in some way, especially since AGs don't lose any resale value just from display.

[dalmatian101]

Keep playing with your dolls and enjoy them. I can only hope my daughter is into dolls when she is older rather than a lot of other things I can imagine. I play with DD's dolls when she isn't even here, I like to pose them doing fun things! I think some men just don't understand the concept. Don't let it get you down.

[Katie148]

I'm so sorry your dad feels that way. [img]graemlins/broken_heart.gif[/img] I think my dad thought it was sort of silly when I started collecting dolls again a few years ago, but now he's so used to it, he doesn't bat an eye. Heck, he even helped me make a doll album a couple of months ago! Maybe your dad will get used to your hobby in time and at least be tolerant of it, if not supportive. And don't let him convince you that you'll never "find a man" if you collect dolls. If someone truly loves you they won't care what you collect. I've had two serious boyfriends who couldn't care less about my doll collection and casually dated a few others who didn't care, either. The truly good guys will deal with it and support it because it makes you happy. [img]smile.gif[/img] Keep your chin up and don't let his attitude get you down. [img]graemlins/rose.gif[/img]

[lucybelle]

Don't be too fretted by your dad. They're still dolls in your room right? He he. So he must at least care for your feelings even though he can't comprehend it possibly. As for your "lack of social skills"...don't let that get to you. I can understand your new transition into a new place. They just don't know who you're friends with and all that matters is that you know who they are. It hurts when people say things like that, I know. But I think it comes from confusion. Like in middle school with all of the drama I faced and my talk about seemingly not having friends due to cliques and yet more drama. You'll meet people, trust me. Glad you continue to collect and keep it coming--some day you WILL be the ruler of your home and can set your own dolly ..."limits." Ha! I said limits!

LOL-- Ashley

Hopeful tidbit: My dad used to get upset anytime we brought something new home--to him everything seemed like it must have been expensive! LOL. But now that some helpful years have passed by and i'm not the only one into dolls my dad will stand right over us and see what we got in the packages out of pleasant curiousity!! One of these days I wouldn't be too shocked if he actually did playfully something to the dolls, like move em around somehow to make a scene. Well, maybe not that far. =) Time changes people. 'nuf said.

<font color="#33CCCC" size="1">[ July 23, 2006 10:46 PM: Message edited by: lucybelle ]</font>