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

I don't have this issue with my parents since I don't live with them, but my husband isn't a fan. I keep them in an area he never really goes to, but when he's feeling moody he'll complain about my dolls and how he finds them "creepy" and expensive. I just point out that there's things he likes to spend his money on that I don't necessarily agree with, but if it's not hurting anyone and makes us happy, then there's nothing wrong about it.

 

My mother and Grandmother collect dolls and my Grandmother was part of a doll club for 25+ years. My mom originally balked at the price but I earned the money and saved up for 4 months to afford my Ringdoll. She thinks their adorable. My grandmother always loved them and when I told her how much they cost it was about what some of her friends paid for porcelain so she wasn't shocked.

My father has zero to say on the subject aside from bringing me my packages. I think that after 25 years of marriage to my mother, my expenses seem tame compared to her every revolving door of expensive hobbies.

My husband has said a few things but he collects computers, and flies private airplanes for fun so he spends a similar amount of money a year. The most I get from him is "but weren't you saving up for that really expensive one..? You're x months away from it. Is this one better than that one?" He's always right when he says that. Always.

 

In my case, my dad doesn't care about it. My mother loves my tiny-size-dolls! She doesn't really like my large doll especially boys LOL. She said sezz is fierce to her because he doesn't smile. Overall it's just an opinion from her, she doesn't stop me buying boys.

 

Well I'm old and haven't lived at home for 11 years lol but I still have talked to and shown my family my dolls. They were all surprisingly chill about it and my mom was super interested in them. She always asks me if I've done anything new with them lately and she loves seeing when they get a faceup or a new outfit or wig. She really wants one of her own, but she doesn't quite understand how she would have to take care of it yet. But one day I plan to get her one of her own.

So just give them some time. I'm sure hey will come around. If they don't then oh well, don't let it get to you too much. It's nice to have support but it's also important to just be you, even if you have to do it without their support. You'll always find friends and support here

 

I feel very fortunate to have a mother that usually shows enthusiasm, or at least mild interest, in my hobbies. Back when I got in to Pokemon as a kid, she even got in to it with me, which was fun. When I showed her BJDs for the first time, she thought they were pretty. I only got in to this hobby after I moved out, so it wasn't a concern to her where my money was going, which is fine with me.

You do you, dear. Being young, people might view it as unnecessary, frivolous spending, but I'd say BJDs are worth the money for the satisfaction they provide. I'd say don't worry about it, and it's ok to just enjoy dolls by yourself (or with people online!).

 

I'm too old to care, LOL My dad thought my hobby a bit off but said it reminded him of his Aunt who made doll clothes. My mom just loves my photo books with the outfits I make for the dolls, & shows them off to her friends.
Now, my DAUGHTERS - my youngest thinks they are creepy but valuable - the oldest is torn cause she likes creepy stuff LOL

 

Interesting post! I'm waaaaaaaaaaaaay too old to care what other's think about my dolls. If I was younger my parents might of been upset but it was dolls that inspired me to get into fashion & help the job as s visual manager, I have had for years....
Basically my money, my dolls, my concern!

 

I first got into BJDs when I was 14 and my parents HATED them. They were super unsupportive for a really long time, but I pretty much ignored them and went for it anyway. They once "punished" me by cancelling a doll order I had placed after saving up my Christmas and birthday money and monthly allowance which was really upsetting. After a few years they softened a little when they realized that my love of dolls wasn't going away, and my mom even took me to a doll con that was a 2 hour drive from where we lived. My only advice is just continue doing what makes you happy. It's really hard to deal with unsupportive family members, especially when you're young, but I can promise you that you will be glad you ignored them. They may even surprise you in the future. My family still dislikes my dolls, but I'm an adult now with a kids of my own so they generally keep their mouths shut. I do wish I could get my 5 year old daughter to stop telling everyone when I get a new doll though, it still makes me uncomfortable to talk about the hobby with my family.

 

The only reason my parents wouldn't like my dolls is perhaps the price. So I think it's best not to ever mention about it to them or anybody else for that matter. I wouldn't want to deal with arguments over dolls with anyone, especially not my parents.

Funnily enough, I only share about my BJD hobby to my 4 year old daughter. She's terrified of them tho! She sneaked in on me while I was browsing BJD one day, I was looking at IOS Infernale then. She asked me what was that? Is that a person? So I told her it was a doll, and how I planned to collect these dolls. She said "please don't buy it mommy...I'm scared". After that, I showed her some cute YoSD and she quickly said she wanted one! I promised her to buy for her when she is a little bit older and able to take proper care of a BJD. Looks like I will have an exciting journey for many years to come with my daughter and our dolls ^^

 

My mum can get a little concerned about money, my dad has no idea about cost/doesn't care. I work full time, so to some extent it's my money, but I'm saving to pay for a house to there's that...

I think my mum will get more annoyed if I don't stop buying for a while. My parents are generally nice about everything, though. I think they've known I was weird since I was a little kid, and I'm autistic. They know life hasn't been easy, and they're happy that I'm happier and doing better work wise so they just accept everything else. I think my dad in particular doesn't care about much but us all being safe, healthy and happy. My poor mum deals with the finances so she's more aware of what I spend, but she accepts the dolls (and even poses/laughs at them sometimes).

If your parents don't accept it, it's a shame. I'd say try to explain to them why this matters to you but I know it's not always easy. I'm close to my parents and can just tell them how calming/therapeutic the craft aspect of BJDs is for me when my job is stressful and stuff. They're kinda, "Well, it's better than taking drugs..." *shrug*

 

I had the same problem with my mom.
And if I still lived with her, I would probably still get comments from time to time.
But I just ignored them and went of with my business.
As it was my money and no matter what she said it wouldn't matter. Haha.
I liked them, and that was all that matters!
Lucky for me, my husband doesn't mind them.
He understands that it's part of me expressing my creativity.
Though he doesn't really approve of the prices. So I just avoid telling him when I spend money on them. LOL.
I suggest you buy what you can before you really have to adult. XDD

 

I'm an adult, so it's my money I'm spending and no one can force me to stop, but I get disapproving vibes from my parents sometimes (I live at home with them). :/ I just got a new doll yesterday, actually; I was so happy! But my parents' apathetic-to-borderline-disapproving reactions when they saw her severely dampened my mood.

I have friends and family who accept my bjd hobby but no one who really understands or enjoys it like I do. I only just barely discovered that there are monthly meetups near where I live--it's great to meet fellow doll-lovers in real life, but I'm shy, and it can take a while for me to make friends/open up to people. Then there's Den of Angels, without which I would surely be wallowing in dolly solitude!

Long story short, I don't regret getting into the hobby, but it's lonely for me sometimes. I'm hoping that my parents, like some of yours, will come around eventually.

 

I feel you! My parents usually like and accept my dolls, but they have never liked my lillycats lol

 

My parents sort of expect odd interests from me by now, so it wasn't a shock when I showed them BJDs and talked about it to them.

My Mum kind of likes my first BJD. But my Dad...
He doesn't outwardly say any rude or nasty comments about my interests/hobbies, but I can tell that he doesn't really 'like' him (the doll) either.
I haven't divulged how much I spent on my doll and I don't intend to anytime soon (I would expect that information start to some judgement/questioning).
At this point I just completely ignore anything my Dad says.

 

My mum was rather accepting, until she found out how much Alex cost. The MK Cris I'm waiting on is about half of what Alex cost, if not less than half, so it should be an easier blow than a doll that's twice Alex's price. My dad...? Well, he's been fairly accepting. In his own way. He just sort of quietly accepts the fact that his adult daughter has a doll.

Maybe, it helped that I told them he was to help me draw poses. He's never been for that purpose; it was to allay their suspicions and unease at their adult daughter having a rather large, rather masculine doll. Now, I'm trying to get into making their clothes, so the smaller one can be "to see how it differs between the two extremes". I have my reasonable justifications; but, if they ever say they don't like my dolls, I'll shrug it off. Yeah, the money could be spent on better things, but it could also be spent on worse things. I'm not backing the wrong horses, or losing it all in the slot machines. I'm doing something creative; something that makes me happy. Just having Alex around makes me feel better; he's come to replace the pet rats I lost last year, he's reclaimed his throne (as it were).

 

Fortunately, my parents were happy to support my buying a doll! I'm an adult and I work for the money that I have as well as ensuring that all my bills and saving accounts are paid before I spend money on myself, so even if they had a problem with my being interested in dolls, I don't think their opinion really would have mattered!

 

Nope. Luckily, my mom is near indifferent of them, though she does love to make little joking comments about them. But even if my mom hated them, I wouldn't care. I'm grown, have a job, and can buy what I want.

 

I'm almost 40 years old and both of my parents just generally ignore the fact that I have dolls that I enjoy buying things for, moreso than buying things for myself. I think that it confuses my mother, but she collects expensive purses, so she can't complain about the prices. I think my dad doesn't understand, and possibly things it's a bit "little girl"-ish of me. He's told my husband that he believes it's one of my "autistic" things, so it's ok... which I guess is good enough acceptance for me.

Honestly I believe that once most parents will come around once they see how happy something is making their child.

 

Hello everyone!
I have something I want to talk about.

I'm 16 years old and have my first dolls on the way! (Myou Grace and a Doll Family A Luca)
And even though I'm already in love with them I do have a little problem:

My parents are divorced, I live with my mom. She is supporting and motivating me, because she knows how hard I worked to get these dolls! I'm so thankful for that. But my dad and his girlfriend are always starring at me like I just bought a rubberband for 100.000.000$. It makes me feel really bad.
I cant talk about BJD's infront of them.

Ever since I started to research for this hobby I felt more and more happy. They already help me with my fears and sadness, even though they are not here yet. I cant imagine how happy I will be when they're here.

I told my dad and his girlfriend about this but they just said that I should buy a Barbie or something.
That hurt me. A lot.

It's like they dont care that these dolls make me happy.
I dont drink or smoke. I never get home too late.
Other girls in my age spend their money on make up, I spend my money on dolls. I dont see the difference.

What would you do? Are there any advices?
I'm pretty sure others have the same problems.

Excuse my english, I'm trying my best!

Greetings from Germany-
Lina