Recently, while watching the Disney Channel with Lily, a commercial for Tini Puppini aired. I had never seen this toy before, but automatically Lily’s eyes lit up as she exclaimed, “I want Santa to bring me that!” My response: Um…..no.
First a little background:
These self proclaimed, Doggie Divas attract a lot of attention by the clothes they wear. You can style their hair and dress them up in trendsetting outfits (complete with platform shoes and a tiara). There are lots of accessories you can buy such as a carrier, bed and gold puppy bling.
While shopping for Lily at Target.com, I ran across Tini Puppini dogs and decided to read a few reviews which honestly had me in tears…..
One customer says, “Bratz aint got nothing on TINI PUPPINI! “
Another reports, “I would like to know whose idea it was to make pole dancing dogs for kids. It looks like a hooker. It’s hideous. There is no way I’m buying this for my niece.”
Is it just me or does this dog need to eat more?? I want to promote a healthy self image and self esteem in my daughter and in my opinion, this product does the exact opposite. Now honestly, I am not one to jump on the “lets boycott this toy” bandwagon, but this is the first time I was genuinely appalled at a toy my daughter wanted for Christmas.
Lily is just starting to get into toys like this, so I find myself in unfamiliar territory. In previous years, she has wanted stickers and crayons, LOL! I am not sure how to explain to a 3 year old that Santa will not be bringing this toy.
Whether you approve of this particular toy or not, explain to me how you handle your little ones “unapproved” Christmas requests?
~Bridgette
I am really glad that I have all boys. I know that there are tough issues with them, too, but the messages being sent to little girls these days are totally out of hand!
Amy’s last blog post..One of THOSE Days
I’m glad I have a boy who will never ask for this. I just have to try to avoid all the violent toys out there.
Really, who decides to market a hootchie dog to little girls? I could never buy something like this. Bratz are another one I can’t stand too. Why don’t they market more toys with real values?
I had never heard of this thing, but apparently my daughter had – she had told my grandmother and she bought Cameron one for Christmas. I commented on how stupid it was, but apparently whatever breed it is is the same as the new puppy that my grandmother has so that was what Cameron (and my grandmother) saw in it. I don’t know what I think about it. I find that Cameron is pretty impressionable though. I think Bratz are stupid and though I’ve never said that, I think Cameron has sensed it and never wanted one either.
If she had her heart set on something though from Santa, we’d just explain (as we do when she makes her long lists anyway) that Santa has to provide for all kids and so he picks and chooses what he thinks is best for each child and family.
Kimberly @ AllAboutKimberly’s last blog post..From Our Family To Yours
I would say to my kids “sometimes Santa has to make a decision about a toy to bring a child and while a child may believe they want a particular toy, Santa knows what they really want and brings them that instead.
Leah-Diaries of a Domestic Goddess’s last blog post..Wordless Wednesday 12/24/2008
Oh, I forgot to say how to explain it to the kids: just tell them that mommy and daddy don’t think it is okay to dress dogs or young people in sexy clothes. Basically explain that you have certain values, but tell it in kid terms!
CanCan (Mom Most Traveled)’s last blog post..Qwirky Books
Wow, I never thought a dog could look sexy and provocative, but I guess certain toy makers can take the innocence out of anything!
If I had a dog maybe I would get this for him, to be his special friend.
What’s next, some kind of baby doll with an inflatable bra?
My First Thong?
Preschool Pasties?
Okay I’m getting carried away. I don’t have a daughter but my son does ask for things I can’t give him in good conscience, such as any toy that ties in to a Cartoon Network show, or weird stuff like robots that kill people and other violent toys.
But this year he has been asking for a castle or doll house (he doesn’t call it a doll house, but that is how I describe it).
I thank my lucky stars for my daughter’s innocence. She’d never ask for something like that. I like the idea that Santa has to check with Mommy. That’s probably the one I’d use.
Debateur’s last blog post..Now what should I do with this ?
Seeing as I have boys I have yet to run into something like that. Fingers crossed I don’t until they are way into their teens.
Jessica NBP’s last blog post..Tell Me Something Good Tuesdays
Are you sure that you saw it on the Disney Channel? Or was it Toon Disney?
That is the ONE reason I like the Disney Channel…no commercials, except for the Disney 365 for movies or the parks.
Luckily, this year, my girls haven’t had the “gimmies.” Allie has asked for books, and Alandra has asked for baby stuff for her dolls. That’s it.
I got off easy this year.
Jaime @ Just Add Laughter’s last blog post..Update to the HSN problem…
Uh yeah, welcome to my world. My son wants things that shoot, things with guns and swords and all kinds of stuff I think is too rough for his age. I have to pick and choose and it is hard with my husband encouraging all these “Manly” toys.
Andrea’s last blog post..Scrapbook Saturday
Audrey is still too young for this problem but I plan to handle like my mom did when we get there. My parents always told me that since we weren’t needy that mom and dad always paid santa for the toys he brought so that he could afford to make the toys for free for the less fortunate kids. This also meant that Santa had great respect for parents and wouldn’t be bringing any toys that mom and dad didn’t approve.
Rebekah’s last blog post..Shoes… Can you blame her.
you know, i wouldnt have noticed because its a dog, but yes, its WAY too skinny and i am NOT a bratz fan.
We’ve run into this problem with our son. Boys are well boys and tend to favor the violent natured toys and games. We simply tell him along the lines of “I know this toy looks like fun, but if this were real would you do it? (he inserts no here) Good. So let’s not pretend to hurt people/things either.” And we redirect him to a more suitable toy.
Cat @ 3KidsnUs’s last blog post..Recipe: Peppermint Bark Hearts & Oreo Bark
We say in our house that everything that Santa brings has to be “Mommy-approved”. Santa checks with Mommy first. So far it’s working with my 5 year old.
Gina’s last blog post..Back to Normal
Thank goodness I don’t have that problem yet…I’m sure by next Christmas I will though. What is the facination with scantily clad dolls and, for heaven’s sake, animals? What are they trying to do to our children??
Cathy’s last blog post..Not Me, Not Me!!