What to do when your parents don't "like" your dolls?

First, Congratulations on saving up and acquiring your own doll! I got interested in the hobby when I was about your age, and now I'm a whopping 20 years old with two dollies of my own. I currently live with my mother, and while she doesn't mind seeing them, she'd rather not have to look at them. When the time had rolled around for her to finally see my 70cm doll she admitted to being creeped out, and said to me "I don't even want to know how much you paid for that". To my mother dolls are just mildly creepy and expensive doodads, but that doesn't stop me from enjoying the hobby.

 

I know when I first got my doll, his clothing was more feminine and my mom kept pointing that out. But since I've owned him for a bit, her opinion on him has changed. Also, when I first wanted to order him, she wasn't too happy because of his price; so it wasn't until I physically had him that she understood why he cost what he did.
So, I'm glad she warmed up to him! He's a cute little sweetie in my room.

 

My moms recently come to tolerate them but my dad isn't a huge fan. He thinks they're a great creative outlet but he cant stand how realistic they can get and if they don't have faceups. I really just kind of deal with it. No big deal in my opinion

 

My mother is super supportive of just about anything I do (part of it probably is because I'm getting a PhD, so I've "got my shit together" as far as she is concerned). I told her about wanting a doll when I first discovered the hobby, and I've sent her pictures and what-not, and she thinks some of them are cute, but thinks the boy I'm getting "looks like a girl" haha. She thinks they're expensive but mentioned she'd get me one as a birthday gift, so I'm very lucky.

My dad doesn't know about my interest (he and my mom aren't together) but he probably would just think I'm a weirdo. Which, I am, so who cares. I don't think he'd be upset or anything, though he'd probably judge me hardcore for spending so much money on a "toy" as he would think of it. But he spends lots of money on expensive jewelry, so he knows he can't judge my spending habits too much.

My grandma thinks they're soooo pretty and is trying to give me porcelain dolls she has at home.
Haven't told my stepmom, but she'd probably think they were cool. She collects stuff.

 

I feel ya. I am 18 and in my senior year of high school so I still live with my parents. My dad is neutral towards my doll. He does not like or dislike her. But my mom doesn't like the BJD hobby at all. She thinks it is "weird for an 18 year old to be playing with dolls" in her words. But I don't really care. To me, my doll is an artistic outlet.

 

Don't worry, she'll probably get over it soon enough. Or you'll move out. Either way, it won't be something you'll likely have to deal with forever.

 

I bought my first doll while I was underage living with my parents. In face I had to use mum's credit card to be able to pay, since I didn't have my own yet. I paid 2/3rds of the doll while she covered the rest as a christmas gift. Still, I don't think she understands my hobby, she is just sort of okay with it in a "Is that another doll? How much did this one cost?" kind of manner. My step father thinks anything not strictly necessary for living is a waste of time and effort and money, but unless I asked him or talked about dolls to him he'd leave it be. IDK; I don't really mind how they feel, I don't discuss my hobby with them, and they never ask unless I'm carrying around an obviously doll-sized box.

 

My mother's known for years I wanted a doll because every once in a while I'd fall in love with one and show her, but I was always too broke to be able to afford one. So I think she was a bit bemused when my first one arrived out of the blue, because I tend not to tell people I'm buying things until they arrive... I thought she might freak out, both at the cost and the fact he's not really small, but she doesn't seem to appreciate how expensive he was (possibly 'cause I've never actually told her the full price), says "it's your money you earned to do what you want with" and really she's actually pretty fond of him--although she did say out she never really expected me to buy one, because I 'ripped the heads off dolls when [ I ] was a child'. I pointed out that it was just the one doll and then took his headcap off to show her the S-hook to demonstrate I can take his head off at any time, and it's not really been raised since.

I think she likes that I make things for him and occasionally fuss over and grumble about his wig. I'm pretty sure the arrival of my second large doll surprised her and she wasn't immediately happy... but she's fond of him now too and she already thinks of him as an elf even though I haven't been able to mod him at all yet. I think exposure helps. ...I should possibly tell her about the other two large dolls I've ordered at some point. Maybe when they arrive.

 

My parents aren't the most supportive of it, but they don't outright hate them. My dad teases my oldest sister about her dolls. Because I'm too young to have a job or a car so it's difficult to get my own money except through Christmas, birthdays, my loose change jar, and such, I try to negotiate with my mom when I want a doll. I've done my best to stray from dolls over $300 and I've mentioned how I have some things I can sell on eBay so I can afford a doll.
My brother and sometimes my parents point out how I could save or spend that money on something else important, like college. It's been really discouraging, but my love for my dolls and creating my characters (and new ones) in real life is what keeps me in the hobby.

 

I haven't yet had any problems with disapproval, but I think I would be able to hold my own if I ever do. For many I find it isn't really the cost, but that you're spending it on dolls. If you spend 600 on an iPad it's normal and socially acceptable. For a doll, it's just "weird." If people don't like it, remind them that what you spend money is your hobby, and it doesn't matter what it is as long as it makes you happy (and is legal and all that, but that's a given). I have a relative who is into remote control cars, and spending a few hundred on a nice one didn't surprise or offend anyone. A painter spends hundreds on paints. A photographer on cameras. A gamer on computers. Those aren't considered strange, dolls just have a bad reputation. As long as you are responsible with money overall, it's fine to spend the excess on things you love. Spend some time with those who don't understand and put things into context. They don't have to love your dolls, but even a neutral opinion will help keep the peace.

 

My parents both think they are a waste of time and money and my step dad frequently comments on them as well but although it does bother me I try not to think about it too much. My dolls are my hobby and my passion and I spent my own money on them so they don't really have a say.

 

My Mom passed long before I started to collect dolls but she never liked dolls. She didn't like me having dolls as a kid so I doubt I'd have gotten much support from her. My Dad, there was a lot of rolling of eyes, when I first came back home to take care of him and he saw them. He clearly thought I was being silly collecting dolls at my age, but over time watching me create their faces, design and make outfits for them, pose them for photo shoots, he finally got what I was doing with them, that it was an art thing for me and that I needed them to express my artistic side. I think the complexity of some of what I was doing finally clued him in. It's pretty hard to watch someone sanding and painting for hours, sewing for days, and not gain some respect for what they are doing.

I think it took him about 3 years to get on board with me doing it, but once he did, he was pretty nice about it. He didn't get them, didn't like them much, but he would buy me whatever doll I wanted for the holidays and my birthday and sometimes if I was really working hard for him and things were really tough he'd just hand me a credit card and give me a limit and tell me to go buy myself a doll if I wanted. Dad wasn't much of a collector. He was more like to give things away than to acquire them, particularly as he grew older, but he and I had an understanding about the dolls and my love for them.

 

Well, I do not live with my parents any longer, and my money is self-earned. I took one doll with me when I visited them and explained what I was doing with them (at that time, I was working on an outfit). Only reaction from my mum "Sad that you were not too interested in sewing when your grandma was still alive (my grandma was excellent at sewing, but this opportunity is gone forever). My dad is more interested in the technical aspect. I also talk a lot with my mum about face-ups and that I have difficulties to get the little details right. She gave me some really tiny brushes out of her collection (she is an artist).

I think the interaction, discovering common interests helps quite a lot.

 

My mum supports my hobby, she does think they're too expensive for dolls, but she's gotten used to me having expensive hobbies.
My grandmother, however...She's staying with us right now and she's always complaining about my dolls and how expensive they are, she tells me they're ugly and she hates dolls, it brings me down a bit, I admit. But I've come to ignore most of the things she says.

 

I don't share my hobbies with my parents, ever, and especially not my dolls. They wouldn't understand. In addition to not being "stuff-people" (whereas I LOVE THINGS), they aren't really on board with nerdy hobbies or ones that are expensive to maintain. I'm 27 so it's not an issue anymore, really, but when they come to visit the dollies get kidden away. ;w; I always have to apologize to them for putting them in the dark.

 

My mom thinks it's childish to have a doll at my age (24), but at the same time she supports me in my hobbies and has complimented my doll a few times. Pretty sure my dad just doesn't even know what to think about her lol. That being said, I live 2000 miles from them so they only know her by pictures on fb lol.

If they didn't like her, that's their problem. I saved my hard earned money and it gives me a creative outlet. Plus I'm pretty sure they would rather me play with a grown up doll than barbies... Which I activly played with until I was 16 :/

 

Eh, since I'm an adult & have lived on my own since I graduated high school, I don't think it matters what either of my parents think.

A good rule of thumb: if someone isn't paying your bills, pay them no mind. If all your things are wrapped up & you are paying what you're supposed to, who cares what you do with your 'fun' money? Dolls & BJD things hold their value quite well-- so if you ever get in a bind & need quick cash or if you choose to even leave the hobby... there's money at the end of the tunnel.

 

I was already out of the house, when I bought my first doll, so they didn't really have a say in it, but the first few years they thought this hobby was a waste of money and they couldn't understand why I collected dolls. Then I started making them myself. Even though they still don't get this hobby, they are both fully on board now XD.

 

i always lie when my parents ask me how much my dolls cost... only my grandmother knows :P you need to ignore other people's opinions sometimes do what makes you happy

 

I do nothing. I love them and I do not live with them, my parents, and so if I like them, that is all that matters to me. I do not get dolls to please anyone else. They are my obsession and what others think really does not matter to me.

 

When I was 15 I asked my parents for a doll, and they flat out said "no, you're too old for dolls." but now that I am older with a full time job I didn't need to ask. I told them about a month before my doll arrived that I would be getting a package in the mail soon, so if it arrived when I wasn't home they wouldn't be too surprised. A couple days before she arrived I started making clothes for her and making patterns from the measurements they had on the website, (something I went to school for) and my parents even while not knowing what they were for, still thought I was doing a pretty good job on them and I think that kind of eased them into the idea that I can have a doll and do things with it that aren't entirely a waste of time to them.
Though I do realize they still think they are childish, as when I showed my dad my doll for the first time, he shook her hand and said "hello Missy, its nice to meet you." I'm also aware that they think that these dolls are creepy, so I just don't ask for their opinion too much.

 

Hmm...I can't really say that I've ever had this problem, because my dad has long been aware of my expensive tastes and "weirdness" (I already liked anime, swarovski figures, and expensive art supplies before I liked BJDs) and my grandparents are pretty spoiling of me.
Regardless, I would say to anyone dealing with adversity from their parents that the real key is just to keep mentions of the topic few and far in between unless you are relying on them to actually aquire a doll. If you hate to have something that you love dissed, just don't give the "critics" any opportunities. If they're putting your hobbies down unprovoked, well....they just need to rethink their life priorities.

 

I don't even think my dad knows I have this doll (he's my only one, so he's usually tucked away in my room anyway). But I know he wouldn't be super supportive and that's okay. I just don't tell him if I don't think it's worth it (the price, for example).

 

If your parents are not forbidding you to buy dolls, their opinion should not matter. Just keep the dolls out of their hair and everything should go swimmingly, out of sight out of mind and all that.

My mom is of the "none of her business" mindset and my dad grouses a lot, but he also grouses about everything, so my family don't actually take him very seriously. Besides, he also indulges in his own very expensive hobbies, so he can't actually say no to mine.

 

My mom really loves my dolls. ^-^ She even helps me sew outfits for them.

I don't know about my dad, to be honest. To the best of my knowledge, he thinks they're pretty, but he has a tendency to treat them like they're Barbies or a cheaper doll. He's often putting them in bins or drawers, or depositing them on the floor of my room when he cleans up or clears off a table. I don't think he quite realizes that they're not part of the mess-- having a BJD seated on the table isn't exactly the same as having a heap of playtoys lying around. They're art, so they're supposed to be seen. I don't mind him moving them out of the way (I honestly just take them right out again xD), I just hope he's gentle with them. I get a bit nervous when I see them sprawled out on my beuraeu or haphazardly piled into a bin.

 

I don't know if there are any other threads like this so if there are just delete this one. But here is my story. So I just received my new doll and so did my sister. Well I showed my mom my sisters doll but she went crazy and started yelling at us and telling us that no more dolls would be allowed into the house. I want to continue in the hobby but she wont let us. what should we do?

 

my first question is have you sat down and talked to her to see why she feels this way? If not try to talk down to her and see where things go after that. Make some form of compromise with her like you wont buy dolls to quickly and a specific time frame when you will purchase more dolls. You can also try to include her in with the hobby. Get her opinion on different sculpts see if she will help pick out their look try to even get her to get her own and make it a family hobby that you all can be a part of and have a bond with

 

Sadly, I think the answer to this will depend on you and your sister's ages.

If you are adults and living with your parents, you are entitled to spend your money as you see fit.

If you are still underage, then I can see why your mom might be angry. Even though I see your doll is one of the cheaper ones it's still very hard for people who aren't in the hobby to not see that as a large amount for a doll. It may be that you have to wait until you are older to buy your next.

All that being said, sitting down with your mother and explaining the price or as said above getting her opinion on future sculpts might help. I have a deal with my roommate that I don't buy anything she'd find too creepy. Utilizing a doll budget - a certain percentage of each paycheck and only buying when you reach the amount needed for doll, and even offering to put a higher percentage into general savings - might assure your mother you aren't wildly spending and could be a good compromise if she's worried about cost.

If it's a fear thing, I really can't offer advice other than maybe trying to find a cute non threatening doll and see how she fares with pictures. Or offering to store your doll where she wouldn't see it, not to play with it in her presence, etc. Again, if you're both adults this could be easier. If you're underage it might be the waiting game.

I'm an adult, and while my mother isn't thrilled about my doll purchases, she understands that it's my money and I'm pretty frugal otherwise so I'm not leading myself to bankruptcy via dolls. I have no other vices and I'm not killing people, so she doesn't comment. I know not everyones parents are the same though.

That being said, you and your sister have two dolls you can spoil for the time being. You guys could do a lot with just the two - photography, faceups, sewing. Don't let not being able to immediately purchase more dolls be a deterrent to your creativity.

 

Honestly my dad is the same way The only person in my family who is supported is my mother. My father LOVE to make fun of me and always saying the same crap "your 23 and you still play with dolls when are you going to grow up?" And other things like that I've learn to ignore it. Also as long as it's your own money than they shouldn't have anything to say. I work hard for my money and I pay all my bills and whatever leftover from that it goes to bjds. It's a hobby every one has a hobby.
If I were you I would get a PO box or mail your dolls to a friend house so she doesn't have anything negative to say that's what I do
I mean your mom should be glad it's not something like drugs and alcohol

 

I'm so sorry to hear this. It's hard to know why she is so angry with so few details. But I'm going to guess if she reacts that way she may be under a lot of stress. And if she is really serious, you might need to wait until you move into your own place before continuing your collection.

 

We are both adults and i did decide to take a break for a while. My sisters doll is her first and she was so excited until my mom yelled at her. I dont want this experience to turn her off from the hobby

 

Aww. Hopefully it doesnt damper her enthusiasm too much.

I do definitely think that you two should find a way to make the best of the situation and maybe work on figuring out the reason why your mom doesn't want anymore. Price? Creep Factor? Dolls aren't for adults? Can you guys find a way to compromise - keep the dolls in a box when Mom is around? Play with them when she's not? Restrict them to certain rooms? You can use this time to focus on finding her doll's style, maybe even making her a room box if that's what she's into. Photoshoots outside? If your mom sees her enjoying and doing fun stuff with the doll maybe that might soften her to them? If it's an age thing for your mom, you can find plenty of proof online of how doll collecting is a lifelong hobby.

I don't know if it's possible but does your town have a bjd community? Maybe having the chance to chat with others in person might help? Or if there's any kind of doll event going on soonish, she could bring it there while she looks around. I've noticed that quite a few doll collectors in general (even if they don't know about BJDs) find BJD pretty darn neat. Or are at least understanding of where we're coming from with our resin dollies. I went to a local doll show and there were ladies of all ages. Collecting all kinds of dolls and were all super nice, asking if they could look at my doll, what kind she was, could they hold her. It was very much a "I've found my people" moment for me. That sort of thing might help her not get discouraged.

 

I know the main reason is she doesn't like us spending a lot on dolls when none of our dolls have gone over $300. We do know how to budget and save for our dolls. unlike a lot of people we also don't impulse buy. we try to be very careful how much we buy as well but she sees it as a waste of money

 

Yeah, that's the biggest obstacle with people who don't quite get doll collecting. You could always use Blythe as a comparison (2nd hand modded ones can go for hundreds. Original Tonner's from the 70s sell for a mint). Fashion dolls ain't cheap either. Whereas yours is super customizable in comparison and could be a great gateway for creativity. And maybe if she sees you guys aren't going spend crazy she may come around too.

It's a not a waste of money if it makes you happy. If you guys could find a way to make her see that (and seeing you happy), it might help.

 

My parents hate my dolls, I think because of how anatomically accurate they are, as well as the cost. It doesn't help that I'm a boy and I like them and they're, well, really conservative when it comes to gender roles.

 

My parents don't mind my dolls. I'm thankful that my mom is actually supportive of the hobby. Even though I have a job, my mom knows my tastes really well, so I try to show her dolls that I'm interested in before purchasing them. If she likes them, it's probably a good sign that I'll like them, too. But even if she doesn't like them as much as I do, she's still OK with my dolly decisions as long as they're within reason for our family.

 

Both my parents think they're weird and a little aversive. I was never a huge doll fanatic when I was younger, so me getting into dolls just recently has really confused them. Every time they think they've got me figured out, I surprise them with another bizarre hobby. It took openly displaying both my dolls to my parents that they actually showed a bit of an interest in them and even considered them kind of cute. They even picked them up to look over their joints and admire their faceups, which really flattered me.

Most of the time you just have to give your parents some time to get used to the "new, weird hobby." If you're an adult, you can get what you want. Your parents can give you heck for it, but they can't force you to get rid of your dolls. My mom's first reaction was utter shock when she heard the price of some of the SD sizes, but once I told her they're no different from the polymer clay art dolls my sister sculpts around the same price range, she really eased up. It helps if they have something that they can relate it to, especially since my mom was considering purchasing an art doll from my sister back in the day. My "big waste of money" turned into a more relatable investment.

 

My father almost completely ignore my dolls. It wasn't like that when the first one came as he thought the photography of them would make us closer but he wouldn't let me do my own pictures and now I don't take pictures if he is nearby so he can't say "the multiple things I do wrong".

My mother has also changed a bit since the first doll. At first she was curious and she tired to help with sewing and other crafting but when I told her I had another one coming this year (my fifth) she started to give me a speech about how old I am (24) and that I am not a child anymore do I should cut with the dolls' nonsense. Imagine my face when I heard that.

But I am receiving that doll and I'm loving it to bits alongside the rest of my resin and vinyl family.
In any case, I would be moving with my boyfriend next year and he is very supportive about them so I really don't care they have stopped liking my dolls.
This is a hobby, it has to be fun for you. I know it would be nice if they were more supportive, but that's their taste.

 

Well...my mom always feel I am too old to play dolls. She don't understand me, but I will not care what she is thinking. Haha! Because I am an adult, I have my own life, I don't need to listen to parents about how to do.

 

My family was a bit confused when I started getting into dolls because I had never been fond of them as a child. Currently, my mother let's me do as I want. I still live with then but I have a full time job and her opinion is that it's my money and I can do what I want. I've always been cautious when it comes to spending a lot so I think that helped her know I wouldn't do anything rash.

On the other hand, my father has never been a big supporter of any of my hobbies, to the point that I nearly threw away a large amount of things, in tears, because of what he said. Thankfully, he's mellowed out a bit since then and now is a bit neutral on my hobbies, the dolls especially.

My two younger siblings are the odd balls, especially the youngest. She actively asks to read my doll story and knows all of their names and back stories.

 

I don't have this issue with my parents since I don't live with them, but my husband isn't a fan. I keep them in an area he never really goes to, but when he's feeling moody he'll complain about my dolls and how he finds them "creepy" and expensive. I just point out that there's things he likes to spend his money on that I don't necessarily agree with, but if it's not hurting anyone and makes us happy, then there's nothing wrong about it.

 

I don't have any contact with my parents, but I live with my grandparents. They don't know how much I ever spend on anything, just that I get a lot of packages in the mail sometimes. I get disability income and could afford to live on my own, I just can't live on my own due to medical reasons. Even still I like to shop around for anything. If I ever fall in love with a specific doll or piece of doll clothing, I'll save up to buy it, but that hardly ever happens. So what I usually end up doing is having an idea of what I want, like a specific size or gender, and seeing what I can afford with what I have at that moment.

If my father knew about my little hobby, he'd probably have a cow.

 

My mother and Grandmother collect dolls and my Grandmother was part of a doll club for 25+ years. My mom originally balked at the price but I earned the money and saved up for 4 months to afford my Ringdoll. She thinks their adorable. My grandmother always loved them and when I told her how much they cost it was about what some of her friends paid for porcelain so she wasn't shocked.

My father has zero to say on the subject aside from bringing me my packages. I think that after 25 years of marriage to my mother, my expenses seem tame compared to her every revolving door of expensive hobbies.

My husband has said a few things but he collects computers, and flies private airplanes for fun so he spends a similar amount of money a year. The most I get from him is "but weren't you saving up for that really expensive one..? You're x months away from it. Is this one better than that one?" He's always right when he says that. Always.

 

In my case, my dad doesn't care about it. My mother loves my tiny-size-dolls! She doesn't really like my large doll especially boys LOL. She said sezz is fierce to her because he doesn't smile. Overall it's just an opinion from her, she doesn't stop me buying boys.

 

Well I'm old and haven't lived at home for 11 years lol but I still have talked to and shown my family my dolls. They were all surprisingly chill about it and my mom was super interested in them. She always asks me if I've done anything new with them lately and she loves seeing when they get a faceup or a new outfit or wig. She really wants one of her own, but she doesn't quite understand how she would have to take care of it yet. But one day I plan to get her one of her own.

So just give them some time. I'm sure hey will come around. If they don't then oh well, don't let it get to you too much. It's nice to have support but it's also important to just be you, even if you have to do it without their support. You'll always find friends and support here

 

I feel very fortunate to have a mother that usually shows enthusiasm, or at least mild interest, in my hobbies. Back when I got in to Pokemon as a kid, she even got in to it with me, which was fun. When I showed her BJDs for the first time, she thought they were pretty. I only got in to this hobby after I moved out, so it wasn't a concern to her where my money was going, which is fine with me.

You do you, dear. Being young, people might view it as unnecessary, frivolous spending, but I'd say BJDs are worth the money for the satisfaction they provide. I'd say don't worry about it, and it's ok to just enjoy dolls by yourself (or with people online!).

 

I'm too old to care, LOL My dad thought my hobby a bit off but said it reminded him of his Aunt who made doll clothes. My mom just loves my photo books with the outfits I make for the dolls, & shows them off to her friends.
Now, my DAUGHTERS - my youngest thinks they are creepy but valuable - the oldest is torn cause she likes creepy stuff LOL

 

Interesting post! I'm waaaaaaaaaaaaay too old to care what other's think about my dolls. If I was younger my parents might of been upset but it was dolls that inspired me to get into fashion & help the job as s visual manager, I have had for years....
Basically my money, my dolls, my concern!

 

I first got into BJDs when I was 14 and my parents HATED them. They were super unsupportive for a really long time, but I pretty much ignored them and went for it anyway. They once "punished" me by cancelling a doll order I had placed after saving up my Christmas and birthday money and monthly allowance which was really upsetting. After a few years they softened a little when they realized that my love of dolls wasn't going away, and my mom even took me to a doll con that was a 2 hour drive from where we lived. My only advice is just continue doing what makes you happy. It's really hard to deal with unsupportive family members, especially when you're young, but I can promise you that you will be glad you ignored them. They may even surprise you in the future. My family still dislikes my dolls, but I'm an adult now with a kids of my own so they generally keep their mouths shut. I do wish I could get my 5 year old daughter to stop telling everyone when I get a new doll though, it still makes me uncomfortable to talk about the hobby with my family.

 

The only reason my parents wouldn't like my dolls is perhaps the price. So I think it's best not to ever mention about it to them or anybody else for that matter. I wouldn't want to deal with arguments over dolls with anyone, especially not my parents.

Funnily enough, I only share about my BJD hobby to my 4 year old daughter. She's terrified of them tho! She sneaked in on me while I was browsing BJD one day, I was looking at IOS Infernale then. She asked me what was that? Is that a person? So I told her it was a doll, and how I planned to collect these dolls. She said "please don't buy it mommy...I'm scared". After that, I showed her some cute YoSD and she quickly said she wanted one! I promised her to buy for her when she is a little bit older and able to take proper care of a BJD. Looks like I will have an exciting journey for many years to come with my daughter and our dolls ^^

 

My mum can get a little concerned about money, my dad has no idea about cost/doesn't care. I work full time, so to some extent it's my money, but I'm saving to pay for a house to there's that...

I think my mum will get more annoyed if I don't stop buying for a while. My parents are generally nice about everything, though. I think they've known I was weird since I was a little kid, and I'm autistic. They know life hasn't been easy, and they're happy that I'm happier and doing better work wise so they just accept everything else. I think my dad in particular doesn't care about much but us all being safe, healthy and happy. My poor mum deals with the finances so she's more aware of what I spend, but she accepts the dolls (and even poses/laughs at them sometimes).

If your parents don't accept it, it's a shame. I'd say try to explain to them why this matters to you but I know it's not always easy. I'm close to my parents and can just tell them how calming/therapeutic the craft aspect of BJDs is for me when my job is stressful and stuff. They're kinda, "Well, it's better than taking drugs..." *shrug*

 

I had the same problem with my mom.
And if I still lived with her, I would probably still get comments from time to time.
But I just ignored them and went of with my business.
As it was my money and no matter what she said it wouldn't matter. Haha.
I liked them, and that was all that matters!
Lucky for me, my husband doesn't mind them.
He understands that it's part of me expressing my creativity.
Though he doesn't really approve of the prices. So I just avoid telling him when I spend money on them. LOL.
I suggest you buy what you can before you really have to adult. XDD

 

I'm an adult, so it's my money I'm spending and no one can force me to stop, but I get disapproving vibes from my parents sometimes (I live at home with them). :/ I just got a new doll yesterday, actually; I was so happy! But my parents' apathetic-to-borderline-disapproving reactions when they saw her severely dampened my mood.

I have friends and family who accept my bjd hobby but no one who really understands or enjoys it like I do. I only just barely discovered that there are monthly meetups near where I live--it's great to meet fellow doll-lovers in real life, but I'm shy, and it can take a while for me to make friends/open up to people. Then there's Den of Angels, without which I would surely be wallowing in dolly solitude!

Long story short, I don't regret getting into the hobby, but it's lonely for me sometimes. I'm hoping that my parents, like some of yours, will come around eventually.

 

I feel you! My parents usually like and accept my dolls, but they have never liked my lillycats lol

 

My parents sort of expect odd interests from me by now, so it wasn't a shock when I showed them BJDs and talked about it to them.

My Mum kind of likes my first BJD. But my Dad...
He doesn't outwardly say any rude or nasty comments about my interests/hobbies, but I can tell that he doesn't really 'like' him (the doll) either.
I haven't divulged how much I spent on my doll and I don't intend to anytime soon (I would expect that information start to some judgement/questioning).
At this point I just completely ignore anything my Dad says.

 

My mum was rather accepting, until she found out how much Alex cost. The MK Cris I'm waiting on is about half of what Alex cost, if not less than half, so it should be an easier blow than a doll that's twice Alex's price. My dad...? Well, he's been fairly accepting. In his own way. He just sort of quietly accepts the fact that his adult daughter has a doll.

Maybe, it helped that I told them he was to help me draw poses. He's never been for that purpose; it was to allay their suspicions and unease at their adult daughter having a rather large, rather masculine doll. Now, I'm trying to get into making their clothes, so the smaller one can be "to see how it differs between the two extremes". I have my reasonable justifications; but, if they ever say they don't like my dolls, I'll shrug it off. Yeah, the money could be spent on better things, but it could also be spent on worse things. I'm not backing the wrong horses, or losing it all in the slot machines. I'm doing something creative; something that makes me happy. Just having Alex around makes me feel better; he's come to replace the pet rats I lost last year, he's reclaimed his throne (as it were).

 

Fortunately, my parents were happy to support my buying a doll! I'm an adult and I work for the money that I have as well as ensuring that all my bills and saving accounts are paid before I spend money on myself, so even if they had a problem with my being interested in dolls, I don't think their opinion really would have mattered!

 

Nope. Luckily, my mom is near indifferent of them, though she does love to make little joking comments about them. But even if my mom hated them, I wouldn't care. I'm grown, have a job, and can buy what I want.

 

I'm almost 40 years old and both of my parents just generally ignore the fact that I have dolls that I enjoy buying things for, moreso than buying things for myself. I think that it confuses my mother, but she collects expensive purses, so she can't complain about the prices. I think my dad doesn't understand, and possibly things it's a bit "little girl"-ish of me. He's told my husband that he believes it's one of my "autistic" things, so it's ok... which I guess is good enough acceptance for me.

Honestly I believe that once most parents will come around once they see how happy something is making their child.

 

Hello everyone!
I have something I want to talk about.

I'm 16 years old and have my first dolls on the way! (Myou Grace and a Doll Family A Luca)
And even though I'm already in love with them I do have a little problem:

My parents are divorced, I live with my mom. She is supporting and motivating me, because she knows how hard I worked to get these dolls! I'm so thankful for that. But my dad and his girlfriend are always starring at me like I just bought a rubberband for 100.000.000$. It makes me feel really bad.
I cant talk about BJD's infront of them.

Ever since I started to research for this hobby I felt more and more happy. They already help me with my fears and sadness, even though they are not here yet. I cant imagine how happy I will be when they're here.

I told my dad and his girlfriend about this but they just said that I should buy a Barbie or something.
That hurt me. A lot.

It's like they dont care that these dolls make me happy.
I dont drink or smoke. I never get home too late.
Other girls in my age spend their money on make up, I spend my money on dolls. I dont see the difference.

What would you do? Are there any advices?
I'm pretty sure others have the same problems.

Excuse my english, I'm trying my best!

Greetings from Germany-
Lina