My daughter loves dolls. LOVES dolls. In fact, she loves them so much that she magically transforms into them whenever the mood strikes her (cue every single Disney song you ever heard, butchered by a three-year old).
Learning how to parent a young girl has been tough for me; I have always struggled with body image issues, so the desire to keep my daughter from being inundated by false body messages from the various types of dolls out there has been strong. The messages in the media, even on the shows about fairies she loves so much, all depict this image that is impossible to achieve, and while so many new shows and toys are coming out with counter-acting messages, I still worry how much will seep through.
I want to be able to raise my daughter in a world of confidence, unity, resilience, strength, and community.
Enter American Girl.
Every single doll has her own history, her own story of strength and resilience. Each story is filled with obstacles overcome, positive outlooks, and the importance of community and helping others.
Yes, my daughter is only three (“free and a halfs, Mama!!!!”), and she may not understand the value of these lessons quite yet, but I want to instill these values in her so that they are already ingrained when it comes time for her to tap into them.
She loves her “Riela” to distraction, and we talk about her life all the time. She asks me about her art, and asks me to read a page from “Gabriela” by Teresa E. Harris every day—we talk about Gabriela’s trouble talking, and how hard it can be to learn how to do something. These little chats as we play have already had such an impact on the way she approaches things in her own life, like her frustration with a puzzle, or struggling with a doll’s clothes; she no longer tosses it aside and moves on to something else, she will either take a minute to think about it, or will bring it to me for us to do together.
That, my friends, is positive learning. The people at American Girl understand that so much more happens with dolls than just changing their clothes and playacting. They have really thought about all of the little things, and those little things culminate into a really wonderful package for children to learn from.
Gabriela McBride is American Girl’s 2017 Doll of the Year, and rightly so. She has come out in a year where girls in particular need to learn about unity and overcoming obstacles more than ever, and never before has engaging with the members of our communities and the communities around us been so important as it is now. If a doll can help my little girl understand that, then I am in.
Thank you, ‘Riela, for helping me teach my daughter about the important things.
Crush and Covet to Help See Us To Our Goals
My little cousin does. Her favorite so far is Melody Elison. =D
My eleven year old stepdaughter has Rebecca and Isabelle. She loves them both!
I don’t think these were around when my daughters were growing up but I love seeing multi ethnic dolls becoming more available! I’d love to win this for my granddaughter!
My granddaughter loves Kit.
my daughter would love this!!
My girls haven’t had the chance to receive any American Girl products. They would love to have one of the dolls though!
My kids haven’t really gotten into them yet, but I know they would love them. I like Addy the best.
My daughters do not have these dolls yet but I have shown them on the computer and my youngest especially would love them and thinks they are so pretty. She loves Camille the best
My niece loves American Girl Dolls, I think her favourite right now would be Rebecca.
My niece does love them, and her favorite is Addy.
My granddaughter doesn’t have any American dolls yet. So no favorite yet anyways.
my daughter doesn’t have a fave American Girl just just desperately wants ANY American Girl
We haven’t picked a favourite yet. My daughter is excited to shop for American girl clothing and accessories though! haha
My daughter loves Samantha.
Yes, she loves Samantha the best, but she loves all of them!
My 2 girls have Isabelle (one each) and love to play with them. I know they would love Gabriela just as much.
Yes! They like Gabriella and Rebecca!
My granddaughter does not have any American Dolls yet but I am sure she would love this one.
My daughter would love Gabriela!
My niece is crazy about american girl dolls . I think her favourite is Samantha but she always looks forward to seeing which doll they will come out with each year .
My daughter doesn’t have one but, wants one.. She really wants one.. I am sure she likes them all.
My daughter loves he Lea doll!! She saved for about 8 months and got her on her 6th birthday. She is totally a member of our family now!
My daughter loves her American Girl dolls! She has Isabella and Josefina.
My daughter loves American girl dolls. She loves Grace Thomas as she has the same name as her and they look alike. Thanks for the chance!
My family loves them! Gabriela is their favorite!
Oh she loves them but does not have one yet. I think her favorite has been Julie!
My nieces have American dolls. One of them is Gabriela.
My daughter has been asking for an American doll; would love to help her find a favourite!
Both of my girls adore AG dolls! My youngest loves bitty baby. My oldest loves the GOTY.
we don’t have an american girl yet – so they would love any of them
My daughter loves Isabelle
My daughter really love American Girl. Everything is always about American Girl. Right now her favorite is Rebecca but that can always change..lol
Addy
They love Rebecca