Please don't jump on my case

[bab]

I'm having second thoughts. My DD asked for a Sesame Street or Doc McStuffins backpack. She's 10 and has autism. All the sesame Street ones are just too small, they are more for pre school. I found a cute Doc McStuffins one and got it for her. Now I'm wondering if I should get something more age appropriate. She's still in elementary school and I know she won't be bullied or anything, but I wonder if I should be steering her to "older" things. I don't know. What do you think?

[TrickyBob]

I vote do what makes her happy. If you know she won't be made fun of then rock on with it.

[miso]

Does she really want the Doc McStuffins?

If so (and she won't be bullied for it), I'm not sure I see a problem with giving it to her.

What are other 10-year-olds carrying these days?

(I know probably not Sesame Street.)

[killercupcake]

There are high schoolers walking around my school with cartoon backpacks. Get what makes her happy.

[bab]

Sept 3, 2015 18:15:02 GMT -5 miso said:

Does she really want the Doc McStuffins?

If so (and she won't be bullied for it), I'm not sure I see a problem with giving it to her.

What are other 10-year-olds carrying these days?

(I know probably not Sesame Street.)

Tacky shit like neon zebra print or anything with a lot of glitter.

[psychmom]

I teach a high school autism unit and one of my students has purple Frozen backpack. It's pretty cute. I've never seen or heard comments from anyone about it. I say get the one that makes her happy.

[miso]

Sept 3, 2015 18:16:55 GMT -5 bab said:

Sept 3, 2015 18:15:02 GMT -5 miso said:

Does she really want the Doc McStuffins?

If so (and she won't be bullied for it), I'm not sure I see a problem with giving it to her.

What are other 10-year-olds carrying these days?

(I know probably not Sesame Street.)

Tacky shit like neon zebra print or anything with a lot of glitter.

It seems her "juvenile" preference is better anyway!

[cupcake0214]

If it makes her happy let her carry it. I see kids of all ages with cartoon backpacks.

[bab]

This is the one Abby asked me to get.

Attachments:

[ginger]

I love you for using please don't jump on my case!

I'd let her carry her Doc bag this year for sure.

Maybe by high school, if she's getting teased, I'd change.

[lilafowler]

Awww I get what you mean.
But I'd still let her get the bag she loves.

[flex]

LOL at please don't jump on my case.

[bugandbibs]

Get what she wants ?

[bab]

Sept 3, 2015 19:15:19 GMT -5 bugandbibs said:

Get what she wants ?

OK??

[livinitup]

Ler her.

Would it really be horrible to buy another in a few months? You probably won't even have to, but so what if you do ?

[bugandbibs]

Sept 3, 2015 19:18:05 GMT -5 bab said:

Sept 3, 2015 19:15:19 GMT -5 bugandbibs said:

Get what she wants ?

OK??

The question marks are an emoji that didn't show up. It's just a smiley face.

[bab]

Sept 3, 2015 19:19:30 GMT -5 livinitup said:

Ler her.

Would it really be horrible to buy another in a few months? You probably won't even have to, but so what if you do ?

Buying another bag in a few months isn't even a concern. I already have the Doc McStuffins bag in my house. I was asking if I should be gearing her toward more age appropriate things... Has the point of my post been lost?

[bab]

Sept 3, 2015 19:21:10 GMT -5 bugandbibs said:

Sept 3, 2015 19:18:05 GMT -5 bab said:

OK??

The question marks are an emoji that didn't show up. It's just a smiley face.

Ahhh got it!

[callalily]

I don't know your daughters specifics so you would know best if this is a battle you need to pick or just let it go. At 10, I personally (I'm a former Sped teacher) don't see it as a big deal. At 16, it would be something much more on my radar. It's also something you could do a lot of talking about over the year to slowly prep her for something different next year.

Hope she has a fabulous year

[livinitup]

Sept 3, 2015 19:21:58 GMT -5 bab said:

Sept 3, 2015 19:19:30 GMT -5 livinitup said:

Ler her.

Would it really be horrible to buy another in a few months? You probably won't even have to, but so what if you do ?

Buying another bag in a few months isn't even a concern. I already have the Doc McStuffins bag in my house. I was asking if I should be gearing her toward more age appropriate things... Has the point of my post been lost?

I meant that you you don't have to 'gear' her now. The bag works. It doesn't have to be a year-long decision. It might be, just don't think she can't change her mind in a few months.

And to your point - yes, you can let this go without pushing an "older" choice in backpacks. It's just a backpack.

[HiC]

Nope, let her carry the Doc backpack.

[bab]

Sept 3, 2015 19:30:11 GMT -5 callalily said:

I don't know your daughters specifics so you would know best if this is a battle you need to pick or just let it go. At 10, I personally (I'm a former Sped teacher) don't see it as a big deal. At 16, it would be something much more on my radar. It's also something you could do a lot of talking about over the year to slowly prep her for something different next year.

Hope she has a fabulous year

No no, it's not a battle at all. I was just wondering if as a parent, I should be steering her toward older things. I'm happy to buy her sesame street, Barney, doc McStuffins or whatever she asks for. What I'm asking is if at this point in her life, should I be encouraging other things to prevent additional awkwardness as she gets older. I don't know, maybe this doesn't make sense...

[Ohhmm(bligo)]

Working with autistic/SpEd kids in mainstreamed environments (elem/middle school), I say go for it. Kids are a LOT more understanding than they would have been a few decades ago. I doubt the kids growing up around her would use this as ammo.

[callalily]

Sept 3, 2015 19:35:15 GMT -5 bab said:

Sept 3, 2015 19:30:11 GMT -5 callalily said:

I don't know your daughters specifics so you would know best if this is a battle you need to pick or just let it go. At 10, I personally (I'm a former Sped teacher) don't see it as a big deal. At 16, it would be something much more on my radar. It's also something you could do a lot of talking about over the year to slowly prep her for something different next year.

Hope she has a fabulous year

No no, it's not a battle at all. I was just wondering if as a parent, I should be steering her toward older things. I'm happy to buy her sesame street, Barney, doc McStuffins or whatever she asks for. What I'm asking is if at this point in her life, should I be encouraging other things to prevent additional awkwardness as she gets older. I don't know, maybe this doesn't make sense...

It makes perfect sense At 10, I wouldn't worry about steering her. At 10, while some kids can still be mean, they tend to be a bit more accepting. Come middle school, you will probably have to steer more simply to protect her. I find the 12/13 year old range is when the real commentary can start.

[lilac05]

It sounds like your question is bigger than the backpack. Unfortunately, I don't have the answer. I think this is a hotly debated topic. Do what's "age appropriate" or do what the child currently prefers. I don't think there's a right or wrong answer to that, UNLESS a child is being forced to do age inappropriate things simply because they're at his/her level. (Like preschool board books for a 16 year old when the teenager is interested in Star Wars.)

[hopecounts]

I'd let this one go and let her enjoy Doc. If it causes issues you can reevluate.
its so hard knowing when to push our kids to be 'age appropriate' and when to let them just be.
DD is still young enough its not a big issue yet but I am dreading it.

[katb]

Let her have it. My DD1 who is 20 uses a Little Mermaid lunchbox and mermaid baggies for her lunch. She also has a little mermaid wallet.

[ProfessorArtNerd]

I think she will be ok with doc. I love that you love her so much that this is a worry for you. (Heart)

[balletofangels]

At my school there are still plenty of 5th grade girls rocking Frozen stuff. I think knowing she's autistic will make the kids even less likely to comment Plus, Doc is a damn good role model for a young lady to have!

[balletofangels]

Also, I'm thinking that it'll be a good conversation piece because kids who want to engage her probably aren't sure how. Most of them will know Doc from a few years ago or watching with siblings and they can talk about the show with her.

You are a wonderful mom. Don't sweat it.