OT: Can't take Bratz any longer!

[_queenie_]

At the grocery store the other day I saw these two sisters (I want to say 5 & 7) and they brought their bratz with them. The way they were playing was making me ill! They were pretending to be the bratz and were walking around acting like total, well, you get the picture. One of them was shaking the doll singing "My milkshakes bring all the boys...". And what was the mother doing? Those dolls just bug me beyond belief. I think they're a terrible infulence.What are they telling little kids, to be what their definition is of a brat (or just a brat in general)?

I myself am pretty lenient when it comes to TV, toys, etc., but I've just never liked Bratz. I've always let my kids watch what they want, but I do come in and turn it if it's REALLY bad (for their age). I admit to taking my kids to see Austin Powers 2 with us in theaters (4 and 8 at the time), but I never let my DD13 play with or watch Bratz (I think the TV shows are the worst) and I don't plan on letting my DD3. The ads are blasted over kids' channels all the time and I've had enough. Grand Theft Auto, that's another one I have a bad feeling about, my DS recently turned 17, he's old enough to buy it on his own, but I still won't let him (I do however let him play Socom, but that's at least legitimate).

I hope I don't sound hypocritical in any of this, but does anyone feel the same way?

By the way, I had to laugh, about an hour ago my DD3 saw a Bratz commercial and told me with her hands on her hips "Those Bratz are so stupid!".

 

[mommy-on-the-move]

I grew up never allowed Barbie, taught to act my age, not allowed to dress inappropriately or too grown up, sheltered from make up and partying. I was a teen mother and I'm a good person! (I'm now a mother of four still married to the same man with whom i became a teen parent and I also finished top of my entire class of 180 students despite being 6 months pregnant) It wasn't toys that i played with nor clothes i was permitted to wear that made me a teen mother, it wasn't TV that influenced me, nor peer pressure, it was hormones, having a sex drive and poor contraceptive choices, actually maybe if i hadn't been so sheltered I'd have been wiser on the latter.

Personally I like to think my parenting will have a far greater influence on how my girls (I have 2 girls, 2 boys) turn out rather than what toys they play with, in fact I'd be pretty worried if I genuinely thought a TV show was going to have a greater influence on them than the way in which my husband and I are raising them.

My girls play(ed) with a variety of dolls and whether it's a Bratz, Barbie, Polly Pocket, Winx or Witch doll it's the same games- playing school, playing home, playing travel, playing vets, the maturity of the game doesn't alter because of the clothes their doll is wearing.

To be perfectly honest I probably prefer Bratz (although I can't stand the TV show- it's total twaddle and as DD1 is on the gifted program it would be my worst nightmare for her to aspire to the "career" they portray) I prefer them because they're alot more comical and cartoon looking than say Barbie. I know Barbie isn't realistic in proportion either but bratz don't have a huge chest, they have unrealistically sized heads and feet- they are most definately, clearly cartoon not real. As for the clothing they come in, I'm really hoping my kids don't grow up seeing the way a person dresses dictates the type of person they are or the ideals they have.

Playing with Bratz hasn't harmed my 10 year old, toys are toys they shape playtime, parenting is what shapes lives and futures. My eldest is a very gifted student who already has a great deal of ambition, yes she's fashionable, yes she's popular but she has a good sense of morality and common decency, bratz dolls haven't over ridden what we've taught her.

 

[livndisney]

We do not do ANYTHING Bratz. No TV shows, no toys. I don't want my child paying with ANYTHING called BRATZ.

 

[_queenie_]

I grew up never allowed Barbie, taught to act my age, not allowed to dress inappropriately or too grown up, sheltered from make up and partying. I was a teen mother and I'm a good person! (I'm now a mother of four still married to the same man with whom i became a teen parent and I also finished top of my entire class of 180 students despite being 6 months pregnant) It wasn't toys that i played with nor clothes i was permitted to wear that made me a teen mother, it wasn't TV that influenced me, nor peer pressure, it was hormones, having a sex drive and poor contraceptive choices, actually maybe if i hadn't been so sheltered I'd have been wiser on the latter.

I'm sorry if that offeneded you. I'll edit the post.

 

[mommy-on-the-move]

Oh no, no personal offence taken, i do realise it's a common stereotype and before I was one I'd probably have gone along with it too.

I just pointing out we're not all bad people, there are bad mothers in every age bracket and the majority of teen moms work really hard to not only be a good mother but to try and shake off the stigma and assumptions they're bad people. I know for a fact many of my friends were having sex when I got pregnant, in fact many of them had been pregnant before me but because I was the first (and only) to keep my baby I was seen as "loose moralled" etc, etc and found I spent a big part of my eldest childs infancy constantly hiding away, worrying what other people thought and struggling against their assumptions she'd grow up to be a complete off the rails strumpet. She's 10 now and out of her 6 class teachers she's had every single one of them comments at our first parent teacher meeting they didn't expect such a gifted student to have come from such young parents (which I find kind of sad that even teachers make assumptions about the type of kids different parenting sets produce.)

 

[themilesfamily]

I have a three-year old preschooler who begged and begged for a Bratz Girlz backpack. The backpack had two girls on it wearing a ton of makeup, high heels and fishnet stockings. I told her absolutely not and she got a Dora backpack instead.

Well, at Christmas, what should turn up under the Christmas tree at Grandma's house but the fishnet-stocking Bratz Girlz backpack! My daughter was sooo happy and I'm just like, ugh. We let her take it to school, but I wonder what her teachers must think of us. I guess I don't have a problem with the Bratz Girlz per se -- I don't really know much about them -- it was mostly the outfit they were wearing that made me think it wasn't appropriate for a three-year old. I hope the other mothers & teachers aren't judging us -- but they probably are.

 

[dreamer17555]

I too am a young mom. I had DD- now six when I was 18, found out I was pregnant at 17 but had already graduated. I am currently finishing my last year at UNC with a teaching degree.

My daughter isn't allowed to play with Bratz because honestly I just don't see the need for them in her life. She has Barbies and loves them but I like the stories (ie. Movies) that go along with Barbies. They show loyalty and friendship.

But on the other end of the spectrum is the fact that she does Competition Dance. This year one of her numbers is to Itsy Bitsy (Polka Dot Bikini) The costume is just what the name implies though covered with rhinestones (pink and yellow!) and she often goes to her five hours of dance a week in booty shorts and a dance top. DH has a fit but I don't see the problem. She understand that it is for Dance only. When out shopping or whatever she isn't even allowed to wear lip gloss unless it is a very special occasion (birthdays are the only times coming to mind).

And to the PP, at the first Parent teacher meeting this year the teacher suggested moving DD up a grade level at the end of the year and while she was talking kept looking at me odd and then said "Did your mom work with her while you were at school?" I said no that I worked with her and left it at that. My parents do the grandparents thing- spoiling, but they don't watch her or raise her. That is my job and I love it. Its too bad that some bad younger parents get us all sterotyped.

Here is what it boils down to- teach your children, if you show them how you expect them to behave everyday (though they do not listen everyday) I think that what the play with doesn't matter as much.

-Becca-

 

[_queenie_]

But on the other end of the spectrum is the fact that she does Competition Dance. This year one of her numbers is to Itsy Bitsy (Polka Dot Bikini) The costume is just what the name implies though covered with rhinestones (pink and yellow!) and she often goes to her five hours of dance a week in booty shorts and a dance top. DH has a fit but I don't see the problem. She understand that it is for Dance only. When out shopping or whatever she isn't even allowed to wear lip gloss unless it is a very special occasion (birthdays are the only times coming to mind).

Yeah, I don't think it's that big of a deal if it's for dance class. There's such thing as trying to look fashionable and pretty (that's my DD3 for you), but just as long as it's in a classy way. I personally feel that Bratz goes far over the "classy" line.

 

[dreamer17555]

Yeah, I don't think it's that big of a deal if it's for dance class. There's such thing as trying to look fashionable and pretty (that's my DD3 for you), but just as long as it's in a classy way. I personally feel that Bratz goes far over the "classy" line.

I personally think they are cute, but I do worry sometimes about it looking a little "over the top" I want her to have fun and enjoy herself but I don't want her to become a target if some terrible person were to see her. I make her mear clothes over her dance outfit and once at class then she can change.

Bratz aren't classy looking at all. But I have never seen their movies or books so I don't know what their message is supposed to be. Personally I am thrilled she loves Barbies and her American Girl (even though dressing that doll costs almost as much as dressing DD)

-Becca-

 

[NotUrsula]

I have a three-year old preschooler who begged and begged for a Bratz Girlz backpack. The backpack had two girls on it wearing a ton of makeup, high heels and fishnet stockings. I told her absolutely not and she got a Dora backpack instead.

Well, at Christmas, what should turn up under the Christmas tree at Grandma's house but the fishnet-stocking Bratz Girlz backpack! My daughter was sooo happy and I'm just like, ugh.

A bit OT, but could that really have been total coincidence? I'm betting that there is a high probability that someone pointed that backpack out to G'ma as something she ree--eally wanted, even though she knew that Mom had already said no. My DS did that with something forbidden when he was about 6, and when G'ma handed over the gift we immediately handed it back to her with an explanation. Now she checks with us first on anything that is requested. Of course, DS knows better now -- not only did he not get the gift, he got punished big-time for manipulating G'ma to get something that he knew his parents had forbidden.

At this point my DD is too young to notice Bratz, but no, she's not getting them, ever. I'm also putting a moratorium on all things Barbie until she's school-aged.

 

[_queenie_]

I want her to have fun and enjoy herself but I don't want her to become a target if some terrible person were to see her.

It doesn't even matter what kids are wearing half of the time. When my DD13 was 20 months we were at a restaurant near WDW and a guy in his twenties was staring at her. He said to the guy dining with him, pointing, "Hey look at that little girl over there. I don't normally look at babies, but she's pretty hot".
A little scary.

I always see guys staring at my DD3 too, but that was the only time I actually heard anyone call a little girl "hot".

 

[mommytobug]

My dd played with Bratz but not all the time. I never made a big deal either way. I have a friend who did and her kid is the one carrying the cell, talking way beyond her years, etc. Dolls will not define who your dd is.

This is not to put you down at all, but my dd is 9 and thinks stupid is a bad word and would never call a person or commercial that. My point is that we teach our children along with the other adult influences we allow them to have what is acceptable and not. Will they make mistakes or make wrong choices? Probably! But, we will be there to catch them when they fall.