Miniaturize my collection, or sell all? Moms of all ages, I need your advice!

I'm about to have another baby myself. I got into the hobby when my first son was ity bitty. I know what you mean about money and stuff. I wouldn't sell of your collection just yet so you aren't making a rash decision you might regret later. Obviously the dolls are going to take a backseat to your kids - as they they should. You'll just collect even slower than you did before.

I would put them up and away from the babies and give them their own toys to play with - I don't think resin is really good for them to play with anyway. When they are older and ready they will have some cool dolls to inherit from you.

That's just my opinion.

 

I agree with Radish. Don't sell them yet if at all. You don't have a huge collection that takes up tons of space, so think on it a while.

 

I think the great thing about the dolls you have currently is that they aren't limited and/or discontinued. If you do end up selling them, you can always find them again!

Personally, I think pukifee-size is the best size; I have a doll in almost every size and the pukifees are just so cute and easy to take care of. They have plenty of accessories, you can find all kinds of outfits for them on Etsy, and they easily fit in one's purse for a trip to the office or a photo op at the playground. I don't think I'd keep them if I had a small child, though; I have a hard enough time keeping my cat from eating stuff she shouldn't, and babies grow into such curious, intelligent toddlers that I know eventually mine would end up swallowing a pukifee hand! But they're also small enough to hide away, or to display on a high shelf, so that's good.

If you do end up selling your dolls, no matter your beliefs around them (be they only objects to you, or more than that) know that they won't hold a grudge about moving on to a new owner. I like to think of it as our time coming to an end, and the doll must now go on to make someone else happy. Don't worry about keeping your dolls to pass on to your children, though; objects should serve a purpose now, not in the future, otherwise they only take up space. If you don't think your resin babies will bring you much joy (especially since you have a real baby that brings you so much joy already!) Then don't feel bad about letting them move on.

One great thing you can do if you find yourself missing the resin ones as your son gets older is, you can teach him about saving money, being patient, and how to value (and have fun with) art. You can order it for yourself and maybe have a big countdown and make the whole affair quite exciting, and when the doll arrives you can teach your son how to take care of it. An appreciation for art starts in the home, in my opinion! Maybe when he's older, he'll want a doll of his own. Wouldn't that be neat?

All in all, I'd say pukifee and littlefee are great sizes for you and for children alike. If you sell them, you can always buy them again and include your son in the fun! If you keep them, they'll collect dust for a little while maybe, but I'm sure you'll renew your affections for them in the future. Whatever decision you make won't be a bad decision, so don't worry.

Good luck!

 

I had mine on the ground once while my son was an infant (he was across the room) - I was taking a picture of her and my son almost had her in his mouth before I could catch him so I always think of that.

I think he'll be fine with your dollies. Won't it be exciting when he gets old enough to play with them? I met a family of doll collectors with a tween boy and he had his own dollies. It was so cool.

 

The book William's Doll is for anyone who wouldn't know why a boy would want a doll, and there's a recent episode of Sesame Street with Baby Bear and his doll.

I was a gentle kid who was ready for breakable toys at a young age, my sister still kills them. Even so I still wouldn't give a kid a resin doll until they express the ability to care for their things and the respect for other people's things. And if the kid is accident prone that's what on topic vinyl dolls are for.

 

Storywriter,
Becoming a mother is one of the most wonderful, time consuming, thankless and rewarding things you can do. Just as your relationship with your life partner and friends is irreversibly altered when you bring a child into your family, so will your relationship with your dolls. But like those other relationships, that will morph and grow or diminish over time, so will your "doll relationships" change as your life progresses. If financial circumstances allow, keep the two dolls you have, or at least your first. In time you may decide that you either REALLY want to keep them forever, or that you REALLY don't need to keep them any more. If you can swing it, don't do anything while you are still really conflicted.
I am a 54 years old mother. Over the course of my life, I have saved many things that I have later gotten rid of, when I truly did not want/need them any more. But, both my husband and I have a very select few things from childhood, that we know we will never part with. You will do this, too.
Good luck with your little one. The fact that you are agonizing so over your dolls, tells me you will be a good Mom.
P.S. The small parts of the teeny tiny dolls ARE choking hazards, so be careful.

 

I don't think you should feel guilty for having something expensive all for yourself - like the pukifee Ante you always wanted. You deserve something nice which is all yours - you don't have to share it with your children - it's not mean and selfish to value yourself or treat yourself to something, and it will make you a happier mommy

If you are struggling for cash then what you will get from 2 used fairyland tinies will be just a tiny drop in the ocean - children cost a fortune over the years, and that tiny bit of cash won't make a bit of difference in the long term, so why bother selling them? I am surprised you think pukipukis a good size for young children though - I've never had a pukipuki but I had another 12cm tiny and she was so fragile and dainty! I think if anything a midi size would be best for younger children - although really resin is too good for them - they'd be just as happy with a vinyl doll like jolina ballerina - and no eyes to take out and choke on either!

Another thing to bear in mind is they're not cute babies forever - my son's 20 (not at all cute LOL) and leaving home next week - my doll family are a great comfort to me as I still have little cuties to love and fuss over - he's having none of that and can't wait to get away from mother! My resin family will be my babies forever though

 

I have a three-year-old son. And I have about 14 dolls at the moment.
Sometimes I think about selling them but later on I don't want to do it. They sits in the wardrobe so my boy can't see them.
But he likes to watch when I "play" with them. He even helps me to dress them up.
So I don't think you should sell them all at once.

 

I must admit that I am one of the people with a collection that might be called very or extremely large. I also have a 2 year old boy. Who does not sleep. Not during the day time and very little during the night. (actually, he has not slept trough a single night yet). And i work 4 days a week. This has given me very little time to spend with my collection. But i love every, every single part of it. A lot.

some thoughts:
- puki have even smaller parts. Magnet ingestion by little children can be extremely dangerous.
- real life financial problems should always go first.

 

My daughter is already 8 and I started the hobby this year, so I'm in a different place than you. If you keep your dolls, you have to keep them out of reach for some years. When he understands about fragility of the dolls and when he no longer wants to taste them, he can keep you company, if he wants so, in the hobby.
As for your financial issues: Both dolls are already paid. They have eyes and a wig and some clothes? Fine. You don't have to give in if they demand new things. So there's no need to spend more money until time changes and more money is over.
When your boys grows up you will find that being a mother is nothing for 24 hours. You will and have to find time for yourself. That's when you will turn back to your dolls. And making things for them is something you can share with your boy. Even if he doesn't play with dolls, maybe he will become a carpenter for doll furniture?
To make a long story short: If I were you, I wouldn't sell the dolls. Especially as they were love gifts. No way. Never.

 

I have a 21 month old boy who's very hard work, doesn't sleep hardly and has other behaviour issues. I find the hobby gives me a much needed escape at times and it's something that's me time though I don't get a lot of it haha. If you can afford to keep them I'd say keep them somewhere high up and safe and as your little one gets older you'll have more time to enjoy them.

 

Here's the thing.... You may feel like you have to spend every waking moment being "mommy" which I understand as a child should come first... But making yourself miserable isn't good either. You have to be kind to yourself too. As far as keeping the dolls, I'd keep them because it IS a drop in the bucket and a temporary one as well. You also will likely regret it because then you'll have nothing for YOU. (And that is important, this isn't about the baby right now it's what'll make YOU happy.) You need to be able to have your own hobbies and enjoy things as well. You'll always be their mother, but you'll always be YOU too. And on selling it may actually take awhile, I've seen Fairyland dolls stay on the Marketplace for months, by the time you get a buyer the money issues may be over.

I disagree on downsizing for the sake of your kids (as far as actual size wise go for dolls) because as mentioned little children will find their way into things and tiny puki hands may be easy to lose. You'd be better off keeping the dolls you already love. If they need new things, make them by hand if you can sew or crochet or knit them if that's what you like.

 

what a wise man you have
I am a mom and 54 years young
my children have now there own chidren so I'm a grandmother now
sewing for the dolls is a good thing for me
My granddaughter is coming next week she is 6 years
I think she likes my dolls
so weplay together
I infect the new generation

 

I've always been an artist, but I found that I had no desire to be creative for the first 3 years or so after my son was born (followed almost 2 yrs later by his sister). It didn't bother me, I just did what felt right. The creative yen returned when he was coming on to 4 yrs old. I have since realized that all of my creativity was wrapped up in my kids, which is very natural.

I actually don't believe you need to sell your little collection. Times are difficult and who says you will feel justified in a few years buying more dolls? You don't sound like someone who spoils themselves (they give themselves away ). This isn't about trips to the spa or expensive baubles to decorate yourself with. Dolls are a very creative outlet, one you may be pleased is still there for you in the future. Remember, you have to feed your soul in order to be able to be the best for your family. Just give yourself time to decide if the dolls do indeed serve that purpose in your life. It's a question worth giving yourself time to ponder.

One more thing - it's a lovely thought - tea parties with the kids, supervision, no mis-haps, the kids sharing your hobby... Rainbows are pretty, too. They are also rare. The more likely scenario is just the opposite. The kids will find their own interests. My advice would be to make sure you are tuning in to what they do, and like. Too many parents don't. (And I quote "My son spends a lot of time playing Starcraft - what do I do?" ).

 

Oh what a joy!! CONGRATULATIONS!!! having a baby is a huge blessing I think you're thinking things well, if I were you I would do the same (not give so much attention to my dolls anymore). I have sold dolls before because I needed the money so I wouldn't hesitate to sell them again even if they were gifts because when there's a new blessing in the family, everything is worth it. But if it is not an emergency, I don't think you have to sell your collection but it is up to you.

Puki pukis are so adorable!! (I'm biased^^) however, they're more difficult for me to handle due to the very small size... I lost count how many times my little ones went flying around the room because my fingers messed up ~_~ Pukifees are easier to handle in my case. Good luck on your decision!

 

I pretty much agree with this. Your boy will have his own ideas about what he wants to play with, and while it may be your dollies, it's important for him to learn that some things wait until he's older--like the oven. And I honestly think it's been good for my kid to see me have hobbies, and not be afraid that those hobbies are 'different' and/or a little oddball.

The money matters, yes, but it's also not going anywhere, you know? You can sell the dolls in six months or a year if you need it (and while it feels like a LOT it's still not going to be more than a couple month's rent).

Congratulations on being a mom! For me it was a lot more fun once the whole walking and talking thing started.

 

Everyone's experience is different, but in my case hobbies are pretty intense and time-consuming and tend to change with my situation. I had one when I was single that took a back seat and faded when I got married. I had another when I got married that stopped abruptly when I had my first child. Then my children became my hobby! By that I mean that I most enjoyed creating things for them and doing things with them, including playing with their toys. It was just as fulfilling, if not more so, than any other phase in my life.

Now, I had saved some things from my own childhood but found that I couldn't pass them down to my girls because they had become worth too much money! I had original Barbies and Ken, plus Betsy McCalls and a slew of outfits--all in very good condition. And they couldn't really be split up equally as an inheritance either. So I sold them to buy American Girls that my daughters could play with.

It wasn't until my children were into their teens that I started getting more intense outside interests again, and I went through several before hitting on bjds. But I never went back to previous hobbies because everything changes--environment, finances, and physical capabilities, as well as personal interests.