Monday, November 24, 2008

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

10 comments:

LW said...

What a lovely idea, a gift of time is the best gift of all…

Louise

candyn said...

Inspiring and timely. Thank you for sharing this. :)

Jeanne said...

Well what a very sweet and lovely thing to do with your daughter! I have one girl and three boys . . . I'll have to think about how to do something like this with her. Thank you for sharing!

Carrie said...

Lynn,

I love it...maybe 2010 will be our year of the dollhouse!
You have inspired me tremendously...even though I am with my daughter most of the time, I get caught up in busyness and do not spend enough time teaching her through play and fun activities...
Thank you for the ideas!

Nikki said...

This post stirred such emotion in my heart!
I have two little girls, and I don't play with them nearly enough. I truly admire and respect the TIME and the MEMORIES you are making w/ your little girl!
A doll house will be something you two will remember and enjoy for many, many years to come!
I am certain you are teaching, blessing, and encouraging her in ways you don't even realize right now.

Megan said...

My daughter, who is almost 7, loves your blog and reads through it post by post looking for ideas for her own dollhouse. We love your creative, handmade projects, and we'll be incorporating many of them into our crafting in the next year. I think 2010 will be our year of the dollhouse too. Thanks soooooo much for this blog, I hope our little house will be as beautiful and our memories as wonderful as yours someday.

Lynn Hasty said...

Thank you to each and every one of you for your kind comments! I don't update this blog nearly enough and I'm slow to respond, but I read each and every comment and they mean so much to me!!

Lynn

C said...

I have been so touched by your blog and how you consciously made the decision to give so much time to your daughter. They say that for children the word love is spelt T-I-M-E.

In many ways your blog also makes me regret not spending as much time playing with my own boys as I could have. I will not make the same mistake if I am ever blessed with grandchildren.

Lovely blog Lynn. Thanks for sharing. Carol

Claudia T. said...

Lynn,
This post reads like a beautiful letter for your daughter to cherish for always.
Thank you for sharing your blog and your beautiful words with all of us. Your daughter is blessed to have a wonderful mother like you.

Blessing,
Claudia

Babs said...

I love forward to creating warmth and memories from thises and thats..thanks so much for giving me a little more than ideas of furnishing a "home" and more on furnishing the heart.

Barb