Dolls

My favorite dolls for my daughter at that age came from walmart. They were about $4 and had blastic heads, hands and feet with a body like a bean bag so they were easy for her to squish and hold onto. They had different outfits and things ike passies and bottles. Because they were so cheap, if they got lost or broken they were easy to replace. They didn't come in a box, but were near the bin in the stuffed toy aisle.

I don't know if this is what you're looking for but Fisher Price makes adorable dolls that are called Snap 'n Style and they have clothes that snap in place, perfect for a 2 year old who may struggle with Barbie clothes. They come in different ethnicities and hair colors. They have long hair to style also. My daughter has had them for almost 2 years and she still loves them. You can buy different accessories for them, like a snowboard and outfit or umbrella with a raincoat. They also now make a baby that comes with a crib and other accessories. I think they are perfect for a two year old and they're inexpenive ($10-$15).

American Girl dolls are great. They are a bit pricey but I think they are well worth the $$. My daughter started with the bitty baby and now at nine years old loves the bigger dolls. Good Luck!!

What about the American Girl Dolls? My older daughter started with the babies when she was two and then grew into the older doll, reading the books was a big part of it. Now my youngest has all of her sisters dolls. They love reading the books together and my youngest likes dressing like her doll. Target also carries a line of these dolls under their label so you can always buy the dolls there or the clothing for the dolls. We think they encourage role-playing with the dolls.

I hear alot of good things about the "American Girl" dolls. My boss has a daughter than has several of them.....

I have 3 daughters so we have many, many dolls! They really love the American Girl dolls. These dolls are bigger than Barbies (18 inches) but are still really fun to play with. Go to Americangirl.com to see all the dolls, outfits, and accessories. When your daughter is a little older, you can take her to the American Girl store in Chicago (or NYC) - it's a fabulous place for girls ( & moms!).

American Girl!! if you are willing to spend a little more money. We got one for our daughter when she turned 1 and it is a favorite. Can can even design a doll to look just like your daughter, that's what we did and it was a huge hit.
L.

Hello A. C.
Have you thought about go to wal-mart to the material center, and talk to the ladies back there. They got me into making dolls, you can make many different kinds, then has your child grows older, you can share and do this together,
And one day, she will be happy to have these dolls, because they didn't come from any store, but with the love of a mother and daughter, you can still find her dolls and buy them every now and then, make sure you place shelfs up and around her room for you will want to display these dolls, for everyone to see, Do be scared to fail, not trying is failing.
Like I said you will be more happier in the end, for the dolls will be make with love.
And the price will be a lot cheaper in the end. You can make Teddy bears, aminals of all kinds, go doll shopping today, what you can't find at wal-mart, go to Hobby lobby. Craft stores. You can even paint some of the dolls.
Best Wishes, Good Luck God Bless L. A

I bought my neices the American Girl dolls. They have a bunch of outfits that you can buy. Kind of expensive though, but the girls LOVE their dolls.

I was reading through all of the responses and realized that no one had mentioned that if you're crafty or anything there are numerous patterns out there for making your own clothes for the average 18" doll (like the American Girl dolls). I got an American Girl doll when I was younger and my mother made several outfits for it since we couldn't afford the official clothes from the magazines. Secretly I liked the home made ones better than the few outfits some of my relatives bought me the next couple of christmas' even if I always kept a wish list of catalog items lol.

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i am so with you on the dolls these days! those Btraz do not even have noses! and they are called brats! messages!

anyhow- this is a doll i had when i was a girl- it's on ebay and maybe you could even find one still in the box. Let's see... you could lightly spray it with teatree essential oil aka teatree oil and water to sanitize it a bit even burn some sage and let the smoke cleanse it too. also i am remembering they have those dolls that have books that come with them- i think at the bookstore they can tell you what i mean--or the toystore- American Girls or something- they aren't my cup of tea but they are more wholesome than brats without noses -those look like 12 year olds and are dressed like !!! with gads of makeup!

Groovy Girl dolls are sweet and SO adorable. My MIL started my daughters collection when she was about 2. Groovy Girls are plush and easy to manipulate when dressing and accessorizing. They are multicultural, come with hip names, and have a wide variety of accessories and other collectibles. They are available at Target and online. Have fun with the dolls.....whatever you choose.

Hi A.,
Indeed, the doll subject is very broad. It comes up at many-a-play-group. What constitutes "...a good doll..."?
At the core, why is it that we want to love our doll(s)? To nurture and provide comfort for? Companionship? To be a little mom? The reasons and messages vary.
As an adult mama with dolls on my bed;) I think about how and what I, as a parent with many roles as we moms have in our society, wanted (and needed) to guide my tiny child about life, through her doll-play.
I read that you are looking for the long-haired, sleaze-free dolly. Even at almost 2yrs of age, your precious one will be impacted by her favorite toy. Weren't we?
If we wish to preserve our childrens' innocence in childhood, the right doll is hugely powerful. Mommies are divinely built with softness, nurturing love, and we come in different sizes, shapes, colors, and with lots of nice, unique changes of clothing, too(lol).
~have fun
M.

With so much in the world to worry about...the doll things is nuts. It's a doll! spend your time worrying about not buy a toy made in china with lead paint...

Let your daughter have her doll and get on with your life.

I completely agree w/you that most of the dolls out there are far too slutty looking. A few years ago, I found a line of dolls called Wee Three Friends. They come in a set of 3, and all 3 of them look like normal 12 year olds. The clothes are appropriate for that age. My daughter loves playing with them and no longer minds that we are a "Barbie-free household".

Groovy Girls (come in all ethnic background)
Have an extensive wardrobe

at Playmatters and Target

Doll is about 15 and the outfits run about 7 each
My daughter has a collection she uses with her dollhouse.

A.,
I would check target. We are very similar about dolls like that- and I know target has a "barbie" style doll that is proportioned more like a normal person and has nice normal clothes. They have an entire line of these dolls, and they are really cute.

R.

Hi A., There is a doll called Princess Diana that is made by the Franklin mint Co. She looks like a normal woman and comes with outfits. She is modeled after the late Diana, Princess of Wales. Maybe your little girl would like her. The American Girl dolls are much loved by the little girls who have them, but they can be pricey. I'd recommend Ebay for a good price on dolls. Hope this helps! A..

My daughter will be three in June for Christmas she got a doll that is more a preschooler than a fashion doll, but has hair that could be styled and clothes that can be changed. She is a very sweet looking doll and my daughter's eyes lit up when she saw it. My daughter has the blonde and there is a red head, and one with dark hair. They felt like skin. They are called Play Along Club Dolls. Check out the Toys R Us website. The Little Mommy dolls by Fisher Price are cute too. We don't own one, but I have thought about buying one. There are also the Bitty Baby Twins by American Girl, www.americangirl.com.

Much to my suprise, Wal-mart has a great line of dolls from there own brand. They are almost like action figures. My daughters have ones that ski,hike,bike things like that.

What about an American Girl type doll? Target has their own line of dolls the exact same size- for about half the price. They carry a line of clothing, accessories, etc. You may not see them in the stores, but they have them online. My daughter inherited an AG doll from a cousin. I refuse to pay the prices they ask for the AG clothes- so we buy the Target brand clothes- and they fit! Also, this size doll is easier for a two year old to dress than the Barbie or Bratz size dolls with all of those tiny shoes and stuff.

I'm with you on the Bratz dolls and the My Scene Barbies. Anyhow - check out Groovy Girls - I don't know if they change clothes, but they are soft and very sweet. I've seen them at Learning Express and Von Maur. Also - Fisher Price Snap and Style dolls are great and perfect for her age. I have 3 girls 6, 3, and 18 months and they love the snap and style dolls. The clothes are easy to get on and off and I don't have to worry about tiny pieces. I have seen those at Target and Toys R Us. Good Luck and hope this helps.

Your daughter is too young to probably have the Ariel doll.There are age appropreit markings on packages when you buy toys. Get her a cabbage patch kid and let her be the child she is.

American Girl dolls are good. They provide a bit of history and all of the girls are tied into a series of books. You could even start reading the books to her now so when she gets older she will be interested in them. Good luck, I remember going through the same thing with my now 9 yr old daughter!

what about the american girl bitty babies. my niece has one and she loves it.

American Girl dolls are nice. Be ready to pay upwards of $75 for the 'girls' (according to the website, the age recommendation is 8+ but I doubt anyone follows that guideline). They do have BittyBabies which start around $40 per, and have an age recommendation of 3+.

The big issue I have with American Girl dolls is that, while they are not a 'slutty' doll they are a very expensive doll. Personally, I think it is excessive to spend $75 for the regular American Girl doll, and would have a problem exchanging one bad message (slutty) for another (materialism).

Also....Mattel makes "Wee 3 Friends". They're essentially Barbie dolls, but they're "bigger" and not as built. They'd only need a training bra. lol. Even their feet are bigger. They're very pretty and are geared toward "young" girls instead of the teen/adult body-type. We have a couple sets of them and they usually are the "big sisters" or "babysitters" to the Kelly & Friends dolls. The thing I like most about them is that they all have their own look....unlike Barbie. When Barbie is naked (as they all end up) - they all look the same. Good luck. I appreciate your concern for your daughter's early impression of a socially acceptable body image.

I know where you are coming from on that subject I am also a SAHM. Have you considered going to a place called Build a Bear. The one in Columbus Ohio has a company right next to it where a child with some help of course can choose a doll,clothes and accessories, With none of the adult features. I have 2 daughters and they just love theirs. I hope this could be of some assistance. Cherie

The American Girl Doll is a great one. My 9yr old sister has one and loves it. She has had it for about 4yrs now. You can buy diffrent out fits for the doll and your daughter. Its mainly online though. Hope this helps. Oh and it has a normal figure, not barbieish at all.

What about a little mommy doll or even a cabbage patch doll. My daughter has gotten a cp doll every year since she turned two and LOVES them. They too have clothes you can change. Either are very non slutty looking dolls!

HI A., I don't have an answer for you in terms of Dolls, but I just wanted to mention that for right now, I don't thing you should worry about the doll's figure. Your daughter probably likes it for the "siren" or "pricess" fact and not for the fashion factor; plus, that doll will be history soon, as small kids don't play with the same toys for long.

As she grows older however, I do agree somewhat with you about the image of some dolls, but at 2 I don't believe its much of a problem.

Best regards,

Dear A., Like you I had the same concerns about the message Barbie sends to girls. But what I also came to relize was, that my girls would be exposed to these same toys and messages as they grew and went to play at friends homes. You have a greater influence on you daughter and her self image then anyone or anything. Keep these dolls as they were ment just toys not roll models. Incourage you childrens, both girls and boys to develop good healthy habits. Seek out healthy activities were they can gain self confidence. And always remember you are the greatest roll model your children will have. As for my own, one is a lawyer and the other a vet-tech. And they did play with barbie. Enjoy these wonderful years, E..

The Breyer company (they make all the terrific plastic horses and such) make some nice 'normally proportioned' girl dolls. Blue Turtle Toys, in Oakwood on the main drag next to the pet store, has quite a few. Learning Express also carries them.

To be honest, though, I used to be concerned about the skinny/busty dolls too, until my girls actually started playing with them. They love to change the clothes and play house and horses/farming, etc. They don't correlate that Barbie looks this way so I should too. The constant media barrage of airbrushed models on advertisements in TV and on magazines has a lot more to do with it, I think.

Oh, and Barbie dolls are at least two bra sizes down from the Disney dolls. :) Not exactly sure why those are so chesty.

Also, check out a Barbie DVD from your library if you get a chance. You might be surprised, the heroines are strong and they have good friend/family relationships in them.

God Bless!