Strollerderby : cabbage patch dolls

Down Syndrome Dolls Freaky (But Not Because of THAT)

Madeline Holler — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 15:29:00 GMT

Concept: Dolls with Down syndrome.

Reason: Foster a better understanding of kids with chromosomal disorders; give kids toys that are a reflection of themselves/their families.

Useful?: Very, especially for families of kids with Down syndrome and providers of services to kids with special needs.

Result: Freak show.

No, no, not because the doll makers created 16" plastic dolls with typical facial features of a child with Down syndrome. Some of the dolls have slightly protruding tongues, all have eyes with the upward and outward slant and epicanthal fold.

The problem is with the handmade clothing and the hair. I mean, you be the judge. These kids look like crap!

Silke is channeling her inner-Sheena Easton with that headband and Mikael's got some kind of Flava Flav thing going (minus the clock -- choking hazard?) in that nautical sleeper with matching hat (brim off to the side). His newscaster bob isn't doing him any favors either.

Francesca, pictured above, well, what's there to say? Seriously, what would be wrong with an all-cotton onesie. Or a strappy tank top with matching shorts?

Please, a little dignity for our special needs friends. Even Cabbage Patch dolls, hardly known for their trendy attire, pull it together better than these guys.

Want to know what it's like to raise a child with Down syndrome? Check out Strollerderby alumna Karen Murphy over at Imperfect Parent. Be prepared to squirm.

Photo: DownSyndromeDolls.com

25 Years of Cabbage Patch Hell. Ugh.

Karen Murphy — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 12:56:00 GMT

In the mulling-over pre-writing process about this post, I kept coming back to one thing: something about "25 Years" of those freaky Cabbage Patch Kids doesn't sit right with me. Because I remember seeing them for the first time. And I remember about how old I was then. And somehow the math doesn't work out. Let's see: 2007 minus 25 years is 1982. Except the creepy little things first came out in 1978. But either way it's time to celebrate!

Well, lucky for us, QVC is planning on rolling out the Premiere Edition Cabbage Patch Kids Celebration Baby on QVC starting at midnight on Monday, December 3.

Could someone please tell me what the attraction is with these dolls?

The new edition comes with an ice cream cone it can "really" lick. And when the ice cream sprinkles get all over the doll's face, the special washcloth wipes it clean again. I am not making this up!! neither am I making up the Talking edition that was made (and later abandoned) that included touch sensors and speech capability...but only to other talking Cabbage Patch Dolls. Now we're talking creepy, eh? And what about the ill-fated Cabbage Patch Snacktime Kids, which "ate" plastic snacks with its steel-mouth. And also kids' fingers.

So, yeah, um, happy anniversary Cabbage Patch dolls!

Webkinz Shortages? Oh Darn.

Karen Murphy — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 18:42:00 GMT

Instinctively I stay away from the more annoying toy trends. Cabbage Patch dolls? Bleah. Beanie babies? Puleeze. Webkinz? Not in this house, thank you.

And hey, I'm not the only one who feels this way: "Webkinz are the most annoying trend since Beanie Babies, which were the most annoying trend since Cabbage Patch Kids. They also are among the most cleverly marketed products ever."

I can't argue with any of that. Especially the last bit, which is apparently why the things are in short supply.

A few months ago I saw a display of Webkinz at a home and garden store, of all places. The display was empty. At the time I chalked it up to the fact that it was a home and garden store and not a toy store, but apparently the annoying little creatures have a life of their own (which is I guess the point).

So have you and your kids jumped on this trend? Do you think they teach kids lessons of responsibility or are they basically crack for kids and a colossal waste of time? And what do you think of hot toy trends in general?