Whoa Baby, Barbie isn't the Pregnant one! Mattel Happy Family Midge and Baby
Written: Dec 30 '02 (Updated Apr 12 '03)
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Pros: Unique Concept, Baby is Cute, Includes Accessories
Cons: Unrealistic birth process.
The Bottom Line: Mattel Happy Family Midge and Baby includes several accessories, is unique, and my daughter likes playing with the set.
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| Lisa_J's Full Review: Mattel Happy Family Midge and Baby |
Whoa Mattel! You certainly put yourself in the spotlight. The curious portion of me wonders if Mattel had any clue as to the controversy that would arise via the introduction of Mattel Happy Family Midge and Baby. Regardless of all the hoopla, my youngest daughter has Mattel Happy Family Midge and Baby, Mattel Happy Family Alan & Ryan, and Mattel Happy Family Fashions, all of which she received as Christmas presents. And after showing a continued interest, we purchased the Baby Doctor and Nursery Set for her.
Mattel Happy Family Midge and Baby includes several accessories, and is worth the initial suggested retail of $19.99. Unfortunately, due to much controversy, this doll became hard – if not impossible to locate at local stores. Supposedly the critics feared that Midge and Baby glamorizes pregnancy, possibly contributing to teenage pregnancies. To each their own thought processes, but it is shameful that retailers pulled this from shelves based on naysayers (to which I fault the retailer not the critic). I say let the consumer decide via purchasing or not.
My youngest has been fascinated with the birth process for years, and is well aware of facts of life. She realizes that this doll is pretend, yet this doll allows for an aspect of play that she is comfortable with. Thus far, my youngest daughter likes Mattel Happy Family Midge and Baby.
I like the fact that Midge has a wedding ring, is married to Alan, and that baby has an older brother – Ryan. My daughter enjoys playing with this family. She mentioned to me that it is fun to have a 'Happy Family' that includes Mommy, Daddy, and Two Kids.
INCLUDES
Midge Doll
Baby with Yellow Blanket, T-Shirt and Diaper
Several Plastic Baby Accessories
- Yellow Rubber Ducky
- Purple Bear
- Monitor
- Bottle
- Rattles
- Baby Wipes
- Powder
- Tub
Cardboard Birth Certificate, Book, and Picture Frame
Towel
3-in-1 Table | Crib | Cradle
Midge has long auburn tresses, two accent braids flow amid the straight strands, and a portion of her hair is pulled back. Her ivory complexion is accented with freckles. Her hazel eyes are accented with a touch of make-up, and she is wearing a calm pink shade of lipstick. She has a wedding band, symbolic of her marriage to Alan. She is typical Barbie height – approximately 12”. She arrives obviously pregnant, and is wearing a purple dress with ditsy pink flowers. The front of the dress has a purple bow. This dress is soft to touch, and hangs approximately mid-thigh length. Her shoes are coordinating pink mules. Overall her attire depicts that which is seen on some young moms. She actually looks radiant, and who could blame her, considering she will return to a nice slim pre-pregnant figure with a simplistic removal of the magnetic stomach.
Baby is approximately 1 ¾" in length, with pivoting arms, legs and head. This little doll has realistic detail via toes, fingers, and a belly button. Its legs are bent at the knees and its elbows are bent. Included instructions show how to put on the T-shirt and how to swaddle the baby.
The stomach is simple to detach. A warning is included with regard to the magnetic content in the doll. The magnets are concealed within her molded plastic body, and within the molded plastic stomach. The baby fits snuggly into the pouch (er, um, stomach). When ‘birth time’ arrives, your child simply removes the stomach (it is hollow inside, with the back portion being open) and pulls the baby out. This process is easy to accomplish, as the magnets are strong, and the stomach only fits one way. Basically this is a magnetic shell allowing a hiding place for baby.
The birth procedure is hardly realistic, but it possibly replicates a c-section birth. Perhaps this is where some of the controversial challenge concurs. It is possible to make an issue out of the procedure in which Midge gives birth. However, for our family unit, this really hasn’t presented a crisis. Questions, but not a challenge. My youngest daughter (7 at the time of receipt) has asked about the birth process since she was approximately 3 years of age. Currently she knows about the birth process. She certainly knows that doctors don’t take your stomach off, yet she also knows that some women are ‘cut’ in order for the baby to be removed. Although she likes this set, she remarked that the tummy removal is corny and she did ask if your loose skin actually disappears after the birth process. **I wish!** Personally I am not fond of stomach removal. But I realize that this is a toy, and doubt that we would want to have the doll deliver vaginally.
Most women will give birth at some time, and a majority of young girls want to be a ‘Mommy’ some day. I suppose that some could argue that this doll displays a false 'beauty' image. Well, although I wasn’t blessed with a rapid return to pre-birth shaped body, several of my friends were. So I don’t entirely find this doll to be that unrealistic. Honestly I know some trendy gals that looked radiant during pregnancy, and went home wearing pre-pregnancy clothing.
Midge has a ‘wedding ring’ on her hand, and an additional Happy Family set offers Alan & Ryan (the husband and older brother). Clearly the image from Mattel is that this mom-to-be is married. Some might argue that Mattel should have offered the entire set together. I think that might be a valid gripe. Except, I truly feel that there should be several options. Other sets include Happy Family Baby Doctor Barbie, Happy Family Nursery Playset, and maternity attire.
My daughter enjoys playing with Mattel Happy Family Midge and Baby, and the multiple accessories that are included. The 3-in-1 Table | Crib | Cradle is easy to convert. Offering primary coloring or pink, with accents of purple and white, this unit has been durable thus far. The end portions are white poles, allowing the main portion to slide along them. When positioned with the crib portion upward, the unit rocks and the removable mattress provides a wonderful place for baby to nap. Flip this unit over, slide the bottom upward, put the mattress on top, and you now have a changing table. I noticed that my daughter usually plays with this unit in the crib mode, probably due to having the Happy Family Nursery Playset, which offers tons of play options, including a changing table / bath ensemble. This set includes a portable Tub, but after getting the Nursery Playset, Marisa prefers that one. Regardless all of the pieces of this set receive tons of use.
Marisa especially likes the Baby Wipes Container, and the included fabric baby wipe. In actuality she likes all of the pieces, including the doll and baby. Playtime sessions vary in length, generally lasting approximately one-hour. She stores all of the Happy Family sets together, claiming she just likes it that way.
Closing Thoughts
I don’t feel this doll should be forced onto families, nor do I feel that this doll should be censored. My biggest challenge is that these dolls were pulled from multiple shelves, and that the hype caused several would-be-purchasers to not be able to buy them. However time reveled additional release of the doll, and your chance for finding one now is increased. Do I recommend this set? That depends. If you are looking for a pretend set that celebrates parenthood, and if your child is able to separate pretend from reality, sure. After observing my daughter play with this set and the other Happy Family items, I am very pleased with Mattel Happy Family Midge and Baby, especially considering that my child has maintained interest for slightly more than three months.
For an incredibly humorous counter-opinion – I recommend: http://www.epinions.com/content_83339218564 – Nancy provides good insight, and laugh-out-loud fun. Neither of us are attempting to tell you ‘how to think’ but we offer two parental opinions with regard to this unique doll.
Happy Parenting!
©2002 / 2003 Lisa_J
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): Gift
Type of Toy: Playscene
Age Range of Child: 6 to 8 Years
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Epinions.com ID:
Lisa_J
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Location: Pacific Northwest - Washington State
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Rest in Peace Barbara, you are missed.....
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