My mother-in-law thinks Barbie is a bad influence for my daughter...

I don't think you have to worry. I think most girls now a days play with barbies. I know my neice did and trust me she doesn't look anything like barbie. At two and half all your daughter knows is she likes the stories and playing with the doll. When she's older you can explain if need be that people come in all sizes and types. let her enjoy her childhood while she can and don't worry about your mother-in-law.

As long as you explain to your daughter that real women don't look like Barbie, there shouldn't be any problem. Kids aren't as impressionable as a lot of people think. They do listen to what they're told and they do pay attention as long as those lessons are reinforced. Barbie is not to blame for women with body issues, it's the media and the models that are strutted about everywhere we go.

If your mother in law thinks Barbie was bad. I hate to see what she thinks of the Bratz dolls, lol. I don't see the big deal with Barbie. My girls plays with barbies and bratz, and they could care less about there size. Makeup and clothes, that's a different story all together.

There's nothing wrong with Barbie. Your little girl is too young to think she needs to look like Barbie. I'm sure right now she's just fascinated to see a doll speak and move. My kids love Barbie, my 2 and 6 year olds and none of them are thinking they want to look like Barbie. We keep teasing my 6 year old that she needs to diet, she is even saying she's losing weight but she already looks pregnant LOL.

My girls always had Barbies, now my granddaughter comes along and it's nothing but those Bratz dolls UGH! They are sooooo ugly, to me, but she really loves them. Each generation has a doll that they favor. If the child is a girl, she is going to fall in love with this or that. Believe me, it will change several times in the next few years for you. I don't see any harm in it. Let her play and use her imagination, it helps grow their little minds and teaches them creativity.

I dont think it will be bad for your daughter to be interested in barbie things. My daughter has loved barbies since she was real little. Some of my friends wouldnt allow their kids to play with barbies or watch barbie movies but I didnt care. The movies are really nice.

My daughters both play with barbies and they are 5 and 2. I think that as long as you give them a balanced outlook on life it won't affect them that badly.

i don't beleive that barbie will have a bad effect on a child. it's just a toy. there are so many worst things in this world to worry about than a toy.