The Old Toys Are The Best Ones: A Dolls’ House Lets Their Imaginations Bloom
Wednesday, February 22nd, 2012 | Kids
We made the long journey north to my mother-in-laws for Christmas, the car groaning with people and presents. We’d shelled out what seemed like a borderline-obscene amount on a range of high-tech whatnots for our two boys and one girl. Yet the toy that left the deepest impression on me and Ava, our six-year-old daughter, wasn’t anything we had braved the Christmas shopping hordes to buy, but an old family heirloom belonging to the retired couple next door.
It was a classic wooden dolls house, scuffed and chipped from over 50 years use. Its Georgian-style façade opened on to a three-story interior with assortment of furniture accessories that, much like a real house, marked the passage of time and changing tastes. It had inspired the imaginations of two generations of girls and there seemed no reason why it wouldn’t inspire a few more.
Dropping by on Christmas Eve turned into an extended visit for Ava, who insisted on being allowed to stay and play. Dolls, dresses and accessories was scattered across the carpet when I returned later, with Ava nattering serenely away to her new ‘friends’ She’s been as good as gold,’ said a phlegmatic ‘baby-sitter’, ‘I forgot she was there.’ Before agreeing to leave, Ava made me promise that she could return before we headed back home.
And for several more hours on Boxing Day that is what she did, despite having received a truckload of more ‘modern’ gifts the day before. Then on the drive home, with grim irony considering the looming credit card bill came a small but insistent voice: ‘I wish I had a dolls’ house too.’
The thing was… I shared Amy’s desire. I had remembered feeling exactly the same way when I’d been her age and had spent a blissful week playing with a miniature dolls house of similar vintage that belonged to my cousin. My feminist mother had reacted to my wishes with scorn and I was quietly determined Ava would benefit from my desire to right the wrongs of the past.
My husband was un-persuadable and with Ava’s birthday not till October, it looked like I’d be thwarted. However, when Ava overcame something of a mental block last week and finally learned to swim, I saw my chance. With some Valentine’s Day persuasion added to the pot, a beautiful new wooden dolls’ house arrived by post three days ago, and Ava has spent every waking hour kneeling in front of it.
I’m a very happy Mum.
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