$50 Dollar toy.?

Question

We went to Walmart with our daughter to let her look around in the toy section to see what she likes get ideas for her birthday. She will be turning 3. She kept going to the new Baby Alive doll and that thing is $50.00 bucks, my husband can't see buying her this and to some point neither can I. But she loves this doll and she is not one for dolls. I am just wondering what all of your opinion on buying a three year old a $50 dollar toy doll. I probably won't get if for her but she is just so intreged by this doll.

This doll blinks eats talks (the mouth actualy moves and so do her eyes) She makes a stinky mess in her diapers. It's basically like a real baby but a doll it does everything.

Answer 1

To be honest with you, I think the doll is just the toy of the moment. I have three daughters, none of doll age any longer, and there has been some version of this doll available when all three were of the age. We bought one for the oldest daughter for Christmas, and it was an orphan in the toy box within a month. They use batteries, and the food is a real messy disaster. If the consistency isn't just right, it doesn't go down or it gets stuck inside. The first diaper change is an excitement, and after that it becomes a nasty chore they don't like doing. Our daughter was willing to feed it- but then it got left laying before a "change" was needed. Except you can't leave them that way, and guess who gets the job? Yes, that's right- you. After that, we refused to get suckered in again.
We discovered that they are usually happiest with the simple dolls, with bottles that are pretend where the milk disappears into the top. The closest we came to one of the Baby Alive dolls was a German made doll called Baby Born. They do not use batteries, and do a lot more- including crying. It was a gift to our youngest daughter from a German aunt, and it actually did get played with quite a bit. They are available in the states, but I couldn't say for how much. They do all the things the Baby Alive does, including eat and poop- if fed- but all without battery aid. Considering the new version wants 4 AA at a whack, that means serious money on a regular basis. Also a consideration is the weight of the doll. If it is too heavy, they leave it behind. So all things considered, having been down this road before- I would stongly recommend against it. Find a simply doll that runs on imagination, they get played with a lot more.

Answer 2

Well, I bought my daughter a $325 Barbie Cadillac Escalade by power wheels for her 2nd birthday because that's what she wanted, so perhaps I am not the one to answer your question!

If you feel the baby alive doll is too much try her with a Gotz Aquini potty doll. My 2 (now 2 1/2) year old has liked no other doll but her. She can be purchased at Etoys.com, maybe your little one will like her too? This doll will only cost about $25-$30, drinks and wets.

Try to find out what she likes about the doll, perhaps you can find a less expensive one to do the same thing? Obviouslly I would spend the $50 and explain that will have to be the only present she gets. If you're cash strapped perhaps a family member or friend will go in on it. Otherwise, you can usually get $30 for giving blood plasma.

Good luck! Toys are really expensive these days, I never had anything nice when I was a child. Thus, I splurge on mine!

Answer 3

I've read several of the answers and I have to agree with "the Mom" and a couple others. Your daughter is going to be 3 she probably doesn't even realize the doll can do all the things it does.It probably has more to do with the appearance of the doll! When her birthday gets here she will be so happy because she is the center of attention,the cake has her name on it and everyone is singing happy birthday to her. She will feel very special and loved. Children that are given expensive things starting at a young age become spoiled brats and soon get the attitude that they have to have all the finer things in life, designer clothes and usually end up treating their parents like crap whether or not they get what they want. The parent becomes a slave to their own child! And it only gets worse as they get older.Every parent wants to give the very best to their child but using a little common sense saves a lot of headaches.

Answer 4

If you can't afford this, then don't worry about it. My kids want things they don't get and they have survived. Also, after many, many birthdays and christmas's, I have found that the toys my kids really thought they wanted were played with for maybe 1-2 days before they are left on the floor somewhere forgotten. Also, my experience with baby dolls (and we have probably between 20 -30) is that the ones that are played with and loved the most are the simple, soft, smaller ones that a little girl can hold in her arms easily. My daughter last year wanted Baby Born for Xmas. It has many functions too, but is large, hard and not very fun to cuddle - it now sits on the bottom of the pile. And finally, that Baby Alive is ugly - couldn't they make it look more real.

Answer 5

Have you heard of the American Girl dolls and Bitty Baby? Do you know how many people spend hundreds of dollars on those dolls and their clothing and stuff?

Your little girl will only turn three once, and the time for them to play dolls has gotten shorter and shorter in this day and age. I wouldn't think twice about getting the doll (and - unwise as this may seem to some people - I'd even consider cutting back on a few groceries or other expenses for a week in order to get the doll if money were the issue).

Answer 6

Unfortunately, in today's market, toys are getting much more expensive. I've seen dolls far more expensive than $50 that were far less in value than $5. Also, have you priced the Power Wheels, yet? A $50 doll will look like a bargain compared to the Barbie Power Wheels collection (starting, as I have seen them, at above $200), which she might clamor for next! By comparision, I have also seen dolls that can do simular for just a few bucks--they just happen to not be the glam name brands, that's all! Also, don't forget those "life-sized" dolls--the ones that are as tall as a 3 year old. At least the child usually can wear the fashions themselves, as well as dress the doll!

Answer 7

My daughter is also 3 yrs old and wants this doll for christmas. Instead shes getting a doll called Play All Day Toddler for toys r us for $30. I talks all kinds of sentences comes w/ food it pretends to eat. It also sings and moves. My opinion of the other doll is w/ the eating and dirty diaper is it also needs to be cleaned out and will start to smell and will be a hasle.

Answer 8

I think you said it, "she in not one for dolls" She may be amused by the doll the short time she is in the store. And your desire for her to be girlie and want to play with dolls can be tainting your better judgment.

If you are buying her $50.00 dolls at three, what next?
As I recall when my girls were that young they switched what they were playing with about every few minutes.

I've seen parents buy their children expensive items and then freak out if they play with them fearing they may dirty their investment. How will you feel if she drags the $50.00 dollar doll about naked (they always take the clothes off) by the hair through the backyard and sandbox? She will want to cut its hair also and draw on her face.

I'm sure she will have lots of nice gifts and enjoy her party without thought of that doll.

happy birthday.....

Answer 9

If it is made in China, I probably wouldn't get it. But made someone else, well, maybe it's $50 because it's not junk. If your car needed a $1268.12 repair, you'd probably find a way to get the money. Lots of things cost more than a measley $50. You only think it sounds like a lot because it's a doll. But this is something that you will remember for years. How many things that cost you $50 or more did you remember for years? Yeah, she might get sick of it, but you know what, $50 goes down the toilet for reasons we forget about extremely soon. How about long distance telephone charges or cable?

Answer 10

I say buy her the doll. It's for her birthday!