Play It Like It Is – Barbie Meets REALITY
Posted on February 1, 2016
How would you feel if every apple that you ate looked, tasted, and was shaped exactly the same way and was perfectly flawless? Or how about if every seashell or stone that you picked up and observed was the same color, texture, and size? Pretty boring, right? At least it would be for me.
Well, if you agree that life should be enjoyed for its of variety and uniqueness, then you might be happy to hear about some news that hits home in a more personal way. It was announced early this year that Mattel has rethought and is remodeling their Barbie collection. It’s about time!
I was one of those crazy moms that objected to my girls playing with the typical Barbie dolls due to their unrealistic and perfect shapes and features. I was also the real weirdo mom that never let my kids dispose of a doll just because it became “disabled” due to missing a limb or badly cut hair. It inevitably happens, right? Come on. Even to the best of us.
Anyway, I was an equal opportunity kind of mom who wanted my kids to appreciate and value all forms of life equally, even if they might be considered “damaged” or invaluable to some. As I look quickly online, I see that I’m not the only one that has similar thoughts regarding the value of dolls with abnormalities. Check out this organization that matches dolls to their new owners, calling their creation A Doll Like Me. So wonderful.
But have you seen this girl who has spent a ton of money on plastic surgeries to make herself look just like the Barbie that we have all come to instantly recognize? Sadly, this precious girl is no longer recognizable for who she once was. It breaks my heart to see this, and I don’t want this type of conformity and feeling of unworthiness to plague any of the upcoming generations. Let’s embrace what we were given and love ourselves and others and be thankful!
Back to my Barbie-phobia. Did my efforts pay off with my own family? I think so. I did have one daughter (of my 3 girls) who LOVED and connected with dolls and did have some Barbies in the mix. Yes, some disabled ones, too. She is a very sensory person, and the clothes, accessories, and everything appealed to her. She is still one who values fashion and accessories for herself. I’m not sure if Barbie contributed to that or not, but I think that my girls (and even my boys) understand and embrace that it’s ok to look and act differently than the “norm,” whatever that might be dictated to be at any particular time. It changes, you know. White is right, and thin is in. But that could be changing…
I love what Teresa Tapp, who was previously a very successful trainer for young, new face models, and who is my fitness mentor, said in this recent article regarding the revamping of Barbie. But it was certainly more than a statement about the new dolls being released. It was a commentary on embracing our differences and working with what we’ve been given. I couldn’t agree more.
“I have witnessed how much body image and the need for body perfection can impact a person, especially those that are female,” Tapp says. “Seeing today’s news about Mattel offering additional Barbie dolls with different body types, hair color and skin tone made me happy.” Ms. Tapp adds, “I believe that diversity is divine and that everyone should strive to look and feel their personal best regardless of size or age. ‘Yes You Can’ Barbie!”
It’s time for a reality check, folks. Value what you’ve got and let go of what you’ve not. Yes, I am ALL about self-improvement, and yes, we can all learn to make the most of what we have. Teach your girls how valuable they are for WHO they are, not for what they do or what they look like. And above all else, be ever so grateful for what you do possess because there is certainly no guarantee on keeping any of it.