The great Barbie debate

My daughter turned two yesterday and her very sweet daycare provider got her a gift.

It was a Barbie.

This is the Barbie she got.

I was able to hold back my horror when I saw the doll - apparently a veterinarian, although my vet does not wear what Barbie had on - until after we left the daycare. I thanked our daycare provider and said it was so nice, "You didn't have to do that," etc. etc.

Really, though, you didn't have to do that.

I was hoping Barbie was still a far off concern - something I didn't have to worry about for at least another two years.

Why do I dislike Barbie? After all, I played with Barbie, I think I turned out pretty OK.

I can't really put my finger on it. Barbie just seems too old for a two-year-old, even if you ignore all the choking hazards that come with the doll (tiny shoes, in this case little needles to treat the toy dog that could also get lodged in my daughter's throat).

Barbie wears a lot of makeup, She is wearing a rather short dress in this particular incarnation. She's the opposite of what I am - and maybe that's why I have a hard time handing a Barbie over to my daughter.

The box says 3+, which makes more sense, but if I'm really honest, I'd prefer if my daughter ditched Barbie and played with Duplo and her Little People forever. I feel like she gets more out of playing with those kinds of toys.

My husband had a similar reaction to the Barbie as I did. Not yet. After bed, and I had to tell my daughter she couldn't take Barbie to bed, I took Barbie downstairs and we agreed to put her away for a little while.

I am sure we won't avoid Barbie forever, but I want to hold on to my newly turned two-year-old's enjoyment of other toys for just a little longer.