NO! Why don't they understand??

My mom and my stepdad are VERY unsupportive of my AG collecting! It's gotten really bad lately to the point where I don't even want to collect AG anymore! [img]frown.gif[/img] I admire all of you mom's here who have daughters because you are so supportive for them! I told my mom that I would REALLY like a few outfits for Elizabeth for Christmas, and you know what she told me? These were her exact words:
"Why don't you get something more useful...I feel bad when I buy you "doll" clothes...they just SIT in your room and do nothing...they are basically pointless"

I just wanted to cry! [img]graemlins/cry.gif[/img] I couldn't believe she said that. It's not like she was supportive of my collection in the first place...but never like this. And this afternoon when I was watching my recording of the Felicity movie, my brothers ran into the room and started playing with their little swords. I told them to please go away because I'm watching the movie and they said no, of course because they LOVE to bug me. I asked my stepdad to PLEASE tell them to go into another room and he said:
"Why? It's not like you need to hear that movie"

Again, another rude comment. I'm getting really sick of this. Why can't they just understand its something I love and leave it at that? And support me? I told my mom about the board and how there are A LOT of people older than me that collects dolls, and she doesn't believe it! I told her I would show her but she said she doesn't have any time to waste on that. [img]graemlins/cry.gif[/img]

Major advice please...you guys always make me feel better. Thanks. [img]graemlins/rose.gif[/img]

Elle [img]graemlins/broken_heart.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/broken_heart.gif[/img]

I am so sorry Elle! If I were you, I would try to sit down with your mom and step dad and tell them how you feel. Tell them that it hurts your feelings when they make rude comments about your AG collecting. I know that my whole family isn't very supportive of my AG collecting, but not like your mother and step dad. I hope all works out for you [img]graemlins/rose.gif[/img] !

Awww, hun Im sorry [img]graemlins/girl_hug.gif[/img] Parents can make life so harsh sometimes. Unfortunately theres nothing I can really do to make your parents change their minds about AG. The only advice I can give you is to not let their opinions change how you feel about it. If they dont want to get you AG stuff anymore, then just buy it on your own. Or return whatever other gifts you get and use the money to get what you really want. That will get their goat [img]wink.gif[/img] Or do what I liked to do when I was little; Spout off about any historical stuff you find interesting that you have learned from AG and make them listen to you. At the very least, even if they tell ya to can it-my parents eventually would after a 10min monologue on taxing tea-they will have to appreciate your knowledge-my parents also would grudgingly do that-and you have AG to thank for it.

In the meantime, dont dwell on it too much hun. Just do your own thing and find subtle ways to show them AG is something more than just dolls. Maybe they will eventually get it and maybe not. But at least YOU know and appreciate its value [img]smile.gif[/img]

Well I'm not really good at giving advice, but my first thought after I read your post is don't give up on something you like. If you like AG keep on collecting.

and doll clothes don't "sit around pointless"- sure they may sit around sometimes when they aren't in use, but what about cds and movies that aren't in use? should we start calling those pointless too? No- because maost likely they will be in use at some point. and the doll clothes aren't pointless if you like to dress your AGs. Something that makes you happy isn't pointless to you. Some people just might not understand. Everyone has something they collect that others may think is pointless, but to the person collecting the items, it isn't pointless. It's fun and exciting and rewarding. I mean is my owl collection pointless? maybe to some yes, but I love owls so I love collecting them and just because someone thinks differently about it doesn't mean I will stop collecting them. So don't give up on your AG collection. after all, there are other ways to try to get money for more AG stuff, like pet sitting, plant sitting, babysitting, raking leaves, shoveling snow...

I think it might help if you sat down with your mom and stepdad to explain to them why it's so important to you. You can put together your thoughts and even write down a few notes beforehand. Make sure you let them know that your dolls aren't just a passing thing, that you want to be an adult collector someday. Let them know that your dolls really make you happy, and they don't take away from anything. If you need to, even point out the investment value. Then you can tell them that you don't expect them to buy you AG stuff if they don't want to, but that you'd really appreciate it if they would let you collect in peace.

((((((HUGS))))))

It is hard when people who are important to you don't offer the support you need and deserve.

Maybe you can try and show your mom this thread and point out that many kids today are on sites that are far more innappropriate and down right dangerous.

She should be thankful that you have a safe and wholesome acticity.

I encourage my DD and hope that she continues this as an Older child. I worry about when something might becomemore important to her that isn't as safe

I am praying that my daughter (7) will continue to love things that are wholesome and not the things of the world.

I am sorry. Sometimes we parents can make things so hard.I know I have made my share of mistakes as a parent. I know your parents love you, just keep enjoying your dolls. I suggest you sit down and talk to them.

I added you to my prayer journal.

Hugs Teri

I'm so sorry, Elle!

Next time your mom tries to change the subject and ask what you did at school, try answering something like, "Oh, we played strip poker in Biology" or "We all had some *insert illegal substance* during lunch, it was great!" She'll know you're joking, but it's another way to give her the message that you DO want to talk about AG...and that there are much worse things you could be into! [img]wink.gif[/img]

I'm so sorry they're giving you a hard time, and just remember, they're YOUR dolls, not your parents, and they can't change what you love! [img]graemlins/heart.gif[/img]

*HUGS* Ellie. I'm sorry on how your parents are treating your love for AG. My own will not get me anything AG, but I am fine with that as I buy most of the stuff myself.

As you cannot talk to your Mom, why not write a long letter to her, talking on your feelings, and how this has affected you and everything else that is bothering you. Leave the letter somewhere where your Mom will read it, like on her pillow or in the kitchen.. maybe this way it will help.

I do hope it does not get worse for you. [img]graemlins/rose.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/rose.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/heart.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/heart.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/rose.gif[/img]

I'm sorry. I am 25 and for a very long time my parents wanted nothing to do with my Star Trek Obsession. My dad still avoids it. They might, and I mean might just need time to see that this is not a "phase" you are going through. My dad said that Star Trek was just just a phase when I was 11, and 14 years later he has agreeded that is not a phase but an era in my life. Now as for the dolls, my mother is disapproving but . . . she supports my habit as well. My dad, as long as you don't wave it infront of his face he is oblivious.

It can be very hard when your parents don't support your "love". Often times they do not understand the smile they bring when ever I look at them. Don't fight them about it, just stick to your guns and don't let their ideas influence you.

Ashley