What to do when your parents don't "like" your dolls?

First, Congratulations on saving up and acquiring your own doll! I got interested in the hobby when I was about your age, and now I'm a whopping 20 years old with two dollies of my own. I currently live with my mother, and while she doesn't mind seeing them, she'd rather not have to look at them. When the time had rolled around for her to finally see my 70cm doll she admitted to being creeped out, and said to me "I don't even want to know how much you paid for that". To my mother dolls are just mildly creepy and expensive doodads, but that doesn't stop me from enjoying the hobby.

 

I know when I first got my doll, his clothing was more feminine and my mom kept pointing that out. But since I've owned him for a bit, her opinion on him has changed. Also, when I first wanted to order him, she wasn't too happy because of his price; so it wasn't until I physically had him that she understood why he cost what he did.
So, I'm glad she warmed up to him! He's a cute little sweetie in my room.

 

My moms recently come to tolerate them but my dad isn't a huge fan. He thinks they're a great creative outlet but he cant stand how realistic they can get and if they don't have faceups. I really just kind of deal with it. No big deal in my opinion

 

My mother is super supportive of just about anything I do (part of it probably is because I'm getting a PhD, so I've "got my shit together" as far as she is concerned). I told her about wanting a doll when I first discovered the hobby, and I've sent her pictures and what-not, and she thinks some of them are cute, but thinks the boy I'm getting "looks like a girl" haha. She thinks they're expensive but mentioned she'd get me one as a birthday gift, so I'm very lucky.

My dad doesn't know about my interest (he and my mom aren't together) but he probably would just think I'm a weirdo. Which, I am, so who cares. I don't think he'd be upset or anything, though he'd probably judge me hardcore for spending so much money on a "toy" as he would think of it. But he spends lots of money on expensive jewelry, so he knows he can't judge my spending habits too much.

My grandma thinks they're soooo pretty and is trying to give me porcelain dolls she has at home.
Haven't told my stepmom, but she'd probably think they were cool. She collects stuff.

 

I feel ya. I am 18 and in my senior year of high school so I still live with my parents. My dad is neutral towards my doll. He does not like or dislike her. But my mom doesn't like the BJD hobby at all. She thinks it is "weird for an 18 year old to be playing with dolls" in her words. But I don't really care. To me, my doll is an artistic outlet.

 

Don't worry, she'll probably get over it soon enough. Or you'll move out. Either way, it won't be something you'll likely have to deal with forever.

 

I bought my first doll while I was underage living with my parents. In face I had to use mum's credit card to be able to pay, since I didn't have my own yet. I paid 2/3rds of the doll while she covered the rest as a christmas gift. Still, I don't think she understands my hobby, she is just sort of okay with it in a "Is that another doll? How much did this one cost?" kind of manner. My step father thinks anything not strictly necessary for living is a waste of time and effort and money, but unless I asked him or talked about dolls to him he'd leave it be. IDK; I don't really mind how they feel, I don't discuss my hobby with them, and they never ask unless I'm carrying around an obviously doll-sized box.

 

My mother's known for years I wanted a doll because every once in a while I'd fall in love with one and show her, but I was always too broke to be able to afford one. So I think she was a bit bemused when my first one arrived out of the blue, because I tend not to tell people I'm buying things until they arrive... I thought she might freak out, both at the cost and the fact he's not really small, but she doesn't seem to appreciate how expensive he was (possibly 'cause I've never actually told her the full price), says "it's your money you earned to do what you want with" and really she's actually pretty fond of him--although she did say out she never really expected me to buy one, because I 'ripped the heads off dolls when [ I ] was a child'. I pointed out that it was just the one doll and then took his headcap off to show her the S-hook to demonstrate I can take his head off at any time, and it's not really been raised since.

I think she likes that I make things for him and occasionally fuss over and grumble about his wig. I'm pretty sure the arrival of my second large doll surprised her and she wasn't immediately happy... but she's fond of him now too and she already thinks of him as an elf even though I haven't been able to mod him at all yet. I think exposure helps. ...I should possibly tell her about the other two large dolls I've ordered at some point. Maybe when they arrive.

 

My parents aren't the most supportive of it, but they don't outright hate them. My dad teases my oldest sister about her dolls. Because I'm too young to have a job or a car so it's difficult to get my own money except through Christmas, birthdays, my loose change jar, and such, I try to negotiate with my mom when I want a doll. I've done my best to stray from dolls over $300 and I've mentioned how I have some things I can sell on eBay so I can afford a doll.
My brother and sometimes my parents point out how I could save or spend that money on something else important, like college. It's been really discouraging, but my love for my dolls and creating my characters (and new ones) in real life is what keeps me in the hobby.

 

I haven't yet had any problems with disapproval, but I think I would be able to hold my own if I ever do. For many I find it isn't really the cost, but that you're spending it on dolls. If you spend 600 on an iPad it's normal and socially acceptable. For a doll, it's just "weird." If people don't like it, remind them that what you spend money is your hobby, and it doesn't matter what it is as long as it makes you happy (and is legal and all that, but that's a given). I have a relative who is into remote control cars, and spending a few hundred on a nice one didn't surprise or offend anyone. A painter spends hundreds on paints. A photographer on cameras. A gamer on computers. Those aren't considered strange, dolls just have a bad reputation. As long as you are responsible with money overall, it's fine to spend the excess on things you love. Spend some time with those who don't understand and put things into context. They don't have to love your dolls, but even a neutral opinion will help keep the peace.

 

My parents both think they are a waste of time and money and my step dad frequently comments on them as well but although it does bother me I try not to think about it too much. My dolls are my hobby and my passion and I spent my own money on them so they don't really have a say.

 

My Mom passed long before I started to collect dolls but she never liked dolls. She didn't like me having dolls as a kid so I doubt I'd have gotten much support from her. My Dad, there was a lot of rolling of eyes, when I first came back home to take care of him and he saw them. He clearly thought I was being silly collecting dolls at my age, but over time watching me create their faces, design and make outfits for them, pose them for photo shoots, he finally got what I was doing with them, that it was an art thing for me and that I needed them to express my artistic side. I think the complexity of some of what I was doing finally clued him in. It's pretty hard to watch someone sanding and painting for hours, sewing for days, and not gain some respect for what they are doing.

I think it took him about 3 years to get on board with me doing it, but once he did, he was pretty nice about it. He didn't get them, didn't like them much, but he would buy me whatever doll I wanted for the holidays and my birthday and sometimes if I was really working hard for him and things were really tough he'd just hand me a credit card and give me a limit and tell me to go buy myself a doll if I wanted. Dad wasn't much of a collector. He was more like to give things away than to acquire them, particularly as he grew older, but he and I had an understanding about the dolls and my love for them.

 

Well, I do not live with my parents any longer, and my money is self-earned. I took one doll with me when I visited them and explained what I was doing with them (at that time, I was working on an outfit). Only reaction from my mum "Sad that you were not too interested in sewing when your grandma was still alive (my grandma was excellent at sewing, but this opportunity is gone forever). My dad is more interested in the technical aspect. I also talk a lot with my mum about face-ups and that I have difficulties to get the little details right. She gave me some really tiny brushes out of her collection (she is an artist).

I think the interaction, discovering common interests helps quite a lot.

 

My mum supports my hobby, she does think they're too expensive for dolls, but she's gotten used to me having expensive hobbies.
My grandmother, however...She's staying with us right now and she's always complaining about my dolls and how expensive they are, she tells me they're ugly and she hates dolls, it brings me down a bit, I admit. But I've come to ignore most of the things she says.

 

I don't share my hobbies with my parents, ever, and especially not my dolls. They wouldn't understand. In addition to not being "stuff-people" (whereas I LOVE THINGS), they aren't really on board with nerdy hobbies or ones that are expensive to maintain. I'm 27 so it's not an issue anymore, really, but when they come to visit the dollies get kidden away. ;w; I always have to apologize to them for putting them in the dark.

 

My mom thinks it's childish to have a doll at my age (24), but at the same time she supports me in my hobbies and has complimented my doll a few times. Pretty sure my dad just doesn't even know what to think about her lol. That being said, I live 2000 miles from them so they only know her by pictures on fb lol.

If they didn't like her, that's their problem. I saved my hard earned money and it gives me a creative outlet. Plus I'm pretty sure they would rather me play with a grown up doll than barbies... Which I activly played with until I was 16 :/

 

Eh, since I'm an adult & have lived on my own since I graduated high school, I don't think it matters what either of my parents think.

A good rule of thumb: if someone isn't paying your bills, pay them no mind. If all your things are wrapped up & you are paying what you're supposed to, who cares what you do with your 'fun' money? Dolls & BJD things hold their value quite well-- so if you ever get in a bind & need quick cash or if you choose to even leave the hobby... there's money at the end of the tunnel.

 

I was already out of the house, when I bought my first doll, so they didn't really have a say in it, but the first few years they thought this hobby was a waste of money and they couldn't understand why I collected dolls. Then I started making them myself. Even though they still don't get this hobby, they are both fully on board now XD.

 

i always lie when my parents ask me how much my dolls cost... only my grandmother knows :P you need to ignore other people's opinions sometimes do what makes you happy

 

I do nothing. I love them and I do not live with them, my parents, and so if I like them, that is all that matters to me. I do not get dolls to please anyone else. They are my obsession and what others think really does not matter to me.