My kids (Mini, 10, Pickle, 8, and Yummy, 5) have been on an insane Calico Critters binge lately. Do you know what these are? Ridiculously adorable fuzzy woodland creatures who come with houses and accessories, and whose tiny perfection is exceeded only by their price tag.
We recently found out that Target sells a knock off version. Maybe not quite as cute, but much more affordable for both my kids and myself, who seem to have roughly equivelant amounts of spending money these days.
(Side note: Mini is thoroughly obsessed with the Little House on the Prairie books these days, which goes nicely with her little calico critters obsession. We spent last week making her tiny kangaroos a covered wagon, and a trundle bed which pulls out from beneath Ma and Pa's big bed. From Popsicle sticks. And hot glue. As one of the least crafty moms in my zip code, I am thrilled to announce that both trundle bed and covered wagon were a huge success.)
So ANYWAY, yesterday the four of us went to peruse the toy aisle at Target. This is truly exceptional behavior... I avoid Target with great determination since I agree with the Tao te Ching's warning that seeing nice things makes the heart feel confused about what it truly wants. But my kids had money in hand, and let's face it, some new and interesting toys can make the summer move just a little more smoothly, so off we went.
WELL... In case all of you don't already know this... Girl toys are GROSSSSSS! Most of the dolls they had made Barbie look like a fundamentalist Christian homeschooler. (No offense intended to any fundamentalist Christian homeschoolers or Barbies who may be reading.) I was seriously disgusted. Sexualization of children is something that we as a culture should be appalled by. And sexualization of their clothes, toys, and entertainment are all part of that package.
Am I the only one who thinks Strawberry Shortcake was cuter before she got nipped and tucked and squeezed into a mini skirt? And don't even get me started on Monster High dolls. I think they must have been designed by a team of plastic surgeons who run a low-end brothel on the side. I think I may have contracted an std just from walking down the aisle.
I guess these products are money makers or else Target wouldn't have aisles full of them, but I wish parents would be a little more careful about the messages they allow to enter their homes, and the companies they support. Every dollar spent is an endorsement. Put your dollars in the right place. By which I obviously mean, invest in some Popsicle sticks and a hot glue gun.
