All the Feelings in the Rainbow
I got my new Fisher-Price Holiday catalog in the mail today. This is my favorite time of year. All the companies that have ignored me for twelve months (American Girl, The Wooden Soldier, Pottery Barn, etc..) remember that I probably have some money to spend this holiday season and they send me a catalog.
I sat reading my pile of catalogs tonight while Hugh took the kids out to dinner. It was blissfully quiet in my house and I started flipping through pages of fun toys.
On page 33 of the catalog, I noticed a doll. Her heart lights up to reflect different emotions and “special friends always know what’s in each other’s heart.”
Next to the picture of the doll, there is a key displaying all the emotions she feels – along with the corresponding color.
It explains that:
A Purple Heart =Feeling Giggly
A Yellow Heart = Feeling Happy
A Red Heart = Feeling Dreamy
A Green Heart = Feeling Silly
A Blue Heart = Feeling Sad
A Red Heart = Feeling Friendly
I read the list of the “Heart Colors and Feelings” a couple of times. Each time I read it, I got more and more upset. Every color is a peppy, sweet feeling. The only feeling that is even slightly “unsweet” is sad.
What about all the other feelings that I want my children to express? What about angry? Embarrassed? Worried?
I want a new Key. I want new dolls with new feelings that give my children the message that sometimes they won’t feel dreamy and giggly. That’s okay. ALL their feelings are important, not just the pleasant ones.
If I let my kids know it’s okay with me when they feel upset or vulnerable or nervous, then I think they’ll grow up knowing that their feelings are okay with Christ, too.
I’m going to go chuck the catalog in the trash. It makes me feel…
Not giggly. At all.
I think this is interesting. See, I would have thought that negative feelings are things to avoid, not like you, though. I would have totally missed the fact that there are mostly just good feelings for that doll, not any negative feelings. You’re awesome.
Oh, c’mon, Jess…The Velveteen Rabbit is a much better doll story- worn and bruised by love until the doll becomes REAL.
I’m surprised that they even let the doll have a “sad” color, honestly. That’s more than some people are allowed.
love you!
AMEN!
Bravo.
You’re a great mom… wow.
Wow! I probably would have totally missed that too. Good for you! Maybe you should pitch your ideas to that doll company. Or write a children’s book to go with a new doll that has ALL the feelings.
I think you’re a fantastic mom!!