How long did you play w/ Barbies?

jcm

Cathlete
So my DD is 10. Her friend just told her most other girls don't still play with Barbies! So my daughter is feeling self-conscious because she LOVES Barbies.

I swear I played with them more at her age than when I was younger. Is it me, or has the culture shifted so much that girls aren't just playing Barbie in 4th grade?? She is high functioning on the autism spectrum so social things are an issue, but REALLY?? I sometimes do their hair and arrange the Barbie castle when she's at school!

Jen
 
I played with my Barbies until I was almost 12. I don't know of many girls that still play with them at that age nowadays, although it was normal in the early 1970s when I was that age. They do seem to be marketed to younger girls now (they come with little toddler-age sisters, babies and baby accessories which appeal much more to little girls than to pre-teens). My DD outgrew them by the time she was 4. But then again, she was never really a doll person - she much prefers books and video games.

I still like to dress them! I have all my old Barbies from the 60s and 70s as well as my DD's.

Stebby
 
My brother and I use to faceoff GI Joe and Barbie until I was around 10. My girls haven't gotten into Barbie even though they have all my old stuff. They mostly get into legos or magnetix. If your daughter feel self conscious but still want to play with them, tell her to go ahead - play don't let others tell you what to like or dislike. Or just don't tell her friends what she is doing, it is none of anyone's buisness but your daughter's.
 
Okay, you have my permission to laugh....
I played with Barbie until I was 15 years old. I can remember playing with my best friend my first year of HS. We trick or treated that year too!:D
I loved Barbie!!!
 
I have no idea how long I played with her. I do know that I still have her. She's the original Barbie (see how old I am?). Unfortunately I don't have the box, as that is the only way she'd be worth some money.... not that I would EVER sell her! I loved my Barbie, Ken, Midge and Skipper! :D
 
Let the laughs continue:

I was 12 1/2 before I stopped. Still kept everything: the three story playhouse, the boat, the car and all the assessories til I went to Marine Corps BootCamp at age 18. Wow, I can't believe I just admitted that in public.
 
My dd is 10 (grade 5)and still enjoys her Barbies, her cousin is a year older and when she is over, they play Barbies together. So tell her that there are girls age 10 and 11 playing Barbies today!
 
I hope that her friend's remarks don't keep her from doing something she still loves. It's sad how our children will give up something they love because of something that's said to them. We bought our 11 YO a really nice leather jacket when we were in Florence, Italy a few months ago. It was the only thing he wanted and he was so excited to get it. The first time he wore it to school some kids told him he looked "gay" so now he won't wear it anymore. It just makes me so mad!:mad: I don't know if I'm more upset at him for letting those remarks bother him or at the kids who said it. He is already teased at school because of his red hair. He told me yesterday that he wanted hair dye for Christmas because he was tired of being different and being made fun of all the time.

Sorry to hijack the thread.:eek: I guess my point is I think she should play with Barbies as long as she wants.:D My 6YO DD is just now starting to get into Barbie. She asked for the 3 story townhouse for Christmas. Santa will deliver this year.;)
 
Okay, you have my permission to laugh....
I played with Barbie until I was 15 years old. I can remember playing with my best friend my first year of HS. We trick or treated that year too!:D
I loved Barbie!!!

HAHHAHAHA me too!!!!! I loved Barbie so much, and I still have them all!
 
I think I was in 6th grade when I gave them up. Maybe 7th. My 1o yr old daughter hasn't really ever been to into them, but she loves Littlest Pet Shop and Webkinz.
 
Thanks for all of the answers! The variety just show how different we all are. She got a kick out of the answers. And Jacque - I'm so sorry to hear about your son! Kids can be so horrible. Well, adults can be too. I wouldn't want to do childhood over again. I'm so much more comfortable with myself now and enjoy all of my and my friend's idiosyncrasies (sp?). I'm trying to keep my kids innocent as long as I think they should be. They don't watch Hannah Montana, High School Musical,... It's not a judgemental thing, but they haven't expressed an interest in it so I figure I just won't put stuff there that isn't already there right now.

Awesome confessions ladies! She has two Barbie styling heads up there I kind of feeling like doing ... :)
 
Myself, I recently bought the VW Beetle in Yellow for a few years ago as a collector item. Still in the box. I also bought a new Barbie to go with plus some clothes.
I played with dolls until 7th grade.
 
I played with Barbie and Ken until I just turned 13. Since I was a teenager, I decided for myself to stop and thought at this age I'll do teenager stuff.

Encourage her not to grow up to fast. Being young only comes once in a lifetime.

Janie
 
I think I was around 8 or 9 when I got bored with playing with them. Ninetndo became the thing then :)

I did start collecting Barbies in my teens, and I still do collect them. I keep them in the boxes. Does that mean I never really grew out of Barbie ;)
 
I played with them at least until I was 13. It was more like "fashion design" than playing house, though. And I still collect Barbies to this day! :)
 
Umm, I don't remember but I'm pretty sure I was still playing with dolls at 10. I mean fashion is an addiction that starts pretty early usually with Barbie.
 
I STILL have all my Barbie stuff. ;) In fact, I have lot of my old toys and still like playing with Play-doh. I hate that everyone is always in such a big hurry to grow up.
 

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