The Importance Of Playing Dolls

"House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the Lord." Proverbs 19:14

This blog -- The HomeMade DollHouse -- began first as a personal project called The Year of the Doll House. I'll tell you about it.

I have one daughter, and there are so many wonderful thoughts I want to share with her. I don't want to be overbearing, but I delight in teaching her what is good. I want her to understand that what is good, is good for her. I made a vow of sorts at the end of 2007 to play dolls in earnest throughout the year of 2008. At the time I called it "The Year of the Doll House."


"Wisdom hath builded her house..." Proverbs 9:1

My desire to play dolls with her was like a vision, a goal, whatever you want to call it. At the time my goal began I was working part time in a bakery, always in the evenings. I gained a new view of my daughter. I was given a perspective that I did not have before. I was away from her more. She was spending more time with her papa and her brothers. That was a good thing, but I could clearly see how very much she needs me and my influence. It was an astounding revelation -- just how quickly she is growing up and how extremely important my every word and action is to her.


"Every wise woman buildeth her house..." Proverbs 14:1

Therefore, when I am with her, I want to really be present with her, in heart and mind, and not consumed with thoughts of things that I want to be doing for myself.

As we worked together -- almost cheek to cheek -- setting up her new doll house, it occurred to me that her time of playing with dolls as a true child is coming to an end. Similarly, my window of time of strong influence over her thinking and her habits is becoming smaller. Playing dolls throughout the year of 2008, which is coming to a close now, has been so very precious. We have bonded so much more deeply. I am not sure my daughter even realizes the significance of it, she's so young. As we have played dolls and made furniture together, it has become clear that this will be a lifelong hobby for us. The doll house play will go on and on! Neither of us has to be a little girl to enjoy building doll houses and making miniatures. Staying close to my daughter is what is at the heart of this.


"She looketh well to the ways of her household..." Proverbs 31:27

Throughout 2008, The Year of the Doll House, I made special little things for us for the doll house. It might have been a little cup for the table. It sometimes was a pretty piece of furniture recycled from something throw-away. It might have been a note from me about something one of the dolls did that she needs to look into further. It may be only a thought shared about what it means to build a house.

I was committed. And it paid off.


"...but the house of the righteous shall stand." Proverbs 12:7

It was sometimes an hour of special doll house play. It was sometimes shopping together. It was oftentimes making something new. It all worked together to create a closer relationship. Superficially my daughter will remember playing, but in her heart she has a storehouse of memories of talking and laughing and learning things that are good for her.



Perhaps this idea will appeal to your heart too. The year 2008 has flown by quickly, and now I find that The Year of the Doll House has evolved into a habit around here. Playing dolls is easy to do.

This blog is solely dedicated to all things doll house. I am putting all of our doll house adventures so far right here together. And as I've already mentioned, the doll house will go on and on. Join us!

Lynn