I Hate Playing Barbie Schools
“Mum, did you want to play barbie schools with me”
Kalyra’s eyes wide open with anticipation of my yes and the fun we are about to experience together playing pretend schools with a class of 12 barbie dolls.
I try not to outwardly groan.
“Well sweetie. Mummy has actually just gotten home from real school. I’m a little over being a teacher right now and need a break. Can we play something else.”
“No. I want to play barbie schools. It will be fun. C’mon just for five minutes.”
She drags me kicking and screaming on the inside into her room where she has barbie Cinderalla teacher ready to go. The students arrive one by one on flying swans, white horses, unicorns and by the hand of daddy Ken and miniature baby Mums.
Kalyra loves barbie schools
I take in my deep breaths and get ready once again to lead talk times, story sessions, lunch and my favourite, nap.
“Okay I think it’s nap time now.” I say before the children are even settled in their seats to start the day.
“Muuumm. They haven’t had talking time yet.”
“But, I think they are tired. They really need their naps.”
“Not yet alright.”
Talking time with the teacher
I hate playing barbie schools. I also hate little pet shops, barbie swimming lessons and all those imaginery games Kalyra wants me to play with her. I have to give myself a good talking to every time and fight to control the rising guilt I feel at not wanting to play like this with my precious baby.
I’m so excited by the fact that baby number two is going to be a girl and will have Kalyra to play barbie schools with her instead, when she comes pulling at me as soon as I walk in the door from a day spent dealing with children, who don’t want to be at school, and don’t mind making the day an horrendous experience for anyone unfortunate enough to be in their vicinity.
I’m happy reading stories, playing puzzles, doing craft, playing games like concentration, singing songs, going to the movies together, going on walks, cuddling, dancing like no one is watching and the odd times hide and seek and going to the park.
I think maybe these sorts of things stimulate me more and my brain thinks I am doing something constructive and worthwhile. When I’m forced to play barbies or little pet shops, my mind gets so antsy and can’t stop thinkinig of the mountainous pile of taskst that I need to get done. I don’t have time to waste to play these games.
I often think how parents do it who have four or five kids. How the hell do they play all these kid games for soo many years?
Is it nap time yet?
So now I concentrate on making all the other activities loads of fun, which helps me get through the tortuous imaginary play games. I also try to make it as fun as I can by being the teacher I really wish I could be. When I am the barbie schools teacher, I get up and dance and make silly remarks to the students “Don’t you hurry back to school now you hear. How about you take a few days off?” which goes over Kalyra’s head but makes me feel like I am seeking revenge.
Actually it makes me realize just how bored some of my students must get and why they really do play up in class.
Do you hate playing games like this with your children? How do you deal with it?
Comments
Alex
Why do you think we keep having more children?!
My 11 year old gets the pleasure of playing Littlest Pet Shop with her 4 and 2 year old sisters.
I just lie on the carpet and have a nap.
On a side note – Your daughter has the BEST HAIR. I would pay a lot of money for that shade of blonde 🙂
Caz
It certainly makes more children attractive. I have fallen asleep a couple of times which has given Kalyra the poos!! What can you do??
Kalyra has got gorgeous hair. Craig’s hair was like that when he was young, now it is really dark!! i hope she keeps hers.
The modern parent
I am one of those who has had 4 and 5 kids….and the reason for that is that I hate playing pretend games too so I keep having more kids to keep them all amused! I wrote a post about this once and how it is impossible to enjoy every aspect of parenting & that we shouldn’t feel bad about this. We are all so different and therefore can’t all enjoy the same things. I sometimes feel bad when I read about all the crafty and pretend pay games some mums play with their kids but then I have to remind myself that there are plenty of other great things I do with my kids (too many to mention here!).
Caz
I think the toys and games make having more than one child a definite attractive bonus!! I’m worried I may have waited a bit too long and will have too long an age gap. I will be forcing Kalyra to play barbies with her sister- payback!
I always feel like a slack mum when I see all the crafty things other mums are doing as well. How do they have the energy? I try my best and I guess that is all we can do, and just put all our positive energy into the things we like doing which will have positive rewards for our children
Deb
I am someone who forever reads blogs, clips new ideas, even shows them to her kids (stupid me because then they want to DO them). what works best is just to keep a massive supply of crafty materials on hand, some books for guidance (i have quite a good collection they can browse for inspiration), but mostly I just leave them to their imagination and see what they come up with. I provide blank books and writing materials and they are quite good storytellers. My older daughter is a serious artist (will probably make a career of it) and will often figure out her own things anyway. I rarely get paints out in spite of a large collection – stamping is much preffered by me (less mess). they have thrived in spite of my lack of craftiness and sometimes it is even better if you just leave them to it with supplies rather than a plan that you direct. win win for everyone ; )
Colleen
Thanks for that comment made me feel better about myself as I hate playing barbies, dolls anything imaginative or doing crafts would rather be outside enjoying a sunny day, bike riding, doing more active things! I have felt guilty about not playing barbies for years and wished I could find some way to like it but haven’t found a way yet lol!
Deb
I am with you 100% – but already have the 2 girls (born 19 mo apart so have always been playmates). My kids know i will read 1000 books, play endless board games and watch movies together etc. I DO NOT get on the floor and play barbies etc. A long time ago my hubby said “but didn’t you have barbies as a kid?” and i honestly replied – “yes- and i loved them WHEN I WAS A LITTLE GIRL”. i just think i lost that pretend play ability somewhere between the ages of 10 and 39. Do i feel bad? yes, but i know my sanity is at stake here. We have enough quality time doing other things and in the meantime my girls and their friends can play pretend barbie and princess games together. I do make an exception for pretend restauranst for some reason!
Caz
It’s so wonderful to hear this!! I’m glad I am not the only one that suffers from barbie hatred. I used to love them when I was little as well, and often think about that. Their magic died for me a long time ago 🙂 Thanks for sharing your thoughts and making me feel better. I think from now on I’ll stop feeling bad and concentrate on making the activities I like to do with Kalyra really valuable.
liza
I too feel soooo guilty, but oh how I hate those games! I’ll do any art or craft, board games, nature walks, puzzles, books, tag, hide and seek, anything but those barbie, pony, teddy bear, whatever she can find, games! I’m so glad it isn’t just me!
Caz
Uggh. Not just you! We now have to do concerts and shows and I have to get up and make the dolls dance and sing. That’s when I clap my hands and say “How about we go to the park?” She’s adamant that we do the show though
Vanessa
I hated barbies when I was a kid, so I don’t know what I would do if/when I have kids!!
Caz Makepeace
It’s horrible and I loved barbies when I was a kid!!
Janey
Thank you for this! So nice to know I am not the only one