Yes, you read that right. Dollhouses aren't just for kids. This is all about why MOMS need dollhouses. I was inspired to write this post because you would not believe the number of customers who have told me over the years, "This dollhouse is for me, oops, I meant my kid," or the number of customers I have who do not even have any kids of their own.
This is the second of a 3-part blog series on why you should have a dollhouse. This blog post is going to focus on why a mom needs a dollhouse, while the first post (you can read it here) focused on why every kid needs a dollhouse and a future post will focus on why your family needs The Adventure Dollhouse in particular. So let's get going on 5 reasons why every mom needs a dollhouse.
Disclaimer: While I do hope this series makes you want to buy The Adventure Dollhouse, that is not my end goal. Of course, I am running a business, and the goal of any business is to make money, but to me, it's more important that your child gets the benefits of having a dollhouse, even if that dollhouse does not come from me. I believe in the importance of dollhouses so much that I just want you to have one, in whatever way that looks for your family.
1. Save Money
If you’ve been with me for awhile, you know that I got my start on IG doing DIY projects and home decor on a different account. I love interior design, but my bank account definitely does not. After more than a year of being an “influencer,” I was absolutely shocked at how much money I had spent on home decor. It made me absolutely sick, and I just wasn’t willing to continue promoting a lifestyle where I expected my followers to think it was normal to spend that kind of money on home decor and projects. I needed a different (and less expensive) way to stretch my interior design muscles. Cue: Lucy’s first dollhouse where I made most of her furniture and decor. I experience infinite joy redecorating a dollhouse and adding fun seasonal items. In fact, I love it so much that it truly satisfies my craving for constantly changing decor. It’s pretty rare these days that I spend money on my own house. Instead, I just enjoy rearranging and decorating a dollhouse. So, if your hubby starts complaining about how much you’re spending on a child’s toy, just remind him how much you would be spending on home decor instead. While it might seem expensive to decorate a dollhouse with quality pieces, it can actually save you money if it curbs your home decor craving. Feel free to use this foolproof logic with your husband.
2. Not Your Mama's Dollhouse
I bet a dollhouse was present in your childhood: maybe you were the kid that had the amazing dollhouse all the other kids wanted to play with; or, maybe you were the kid that didn’t have a dollhouse at all and you were jealous of your friends’ dollhouses. My best friend as a kid had this gorgeous Victorian dollhouse that her dad built for her, and I wanted it so badly. Maybe that is what fueled my initial obsession to make sure my daughters had the best dollhouse ever. There is something so nostalgic about a dollhouse that reminds us of our childhoods when things were simpler. These days, so many amazing dollhouses are on the market that go beyond the outdated, formal Victorian dollhouses that we had as kids. These updated modern dollhouses blow my mind, and there is something for everyone. If you’re in to mid-century modern, check out The Tiny Timber Co. Like farmhouse decor? Look no further than My Miniature Emporium. This ain’t your mama’s stuffy, old, delicate dollhouse. Modern dollhouses are gorgeous works of art that reflect our evolving style. It’s nostalgia with a trendy twist.
3. Make Play Time Fun
Okay, I’m just going to say it: I don’t like playing with my kids. I know, I know. I’m a monster. I love spending time with my kids, especially when they’re telling me about their day or we’re playing board games. But, when it comes to just hanging out and playing, I struggle with the repetition and only last for about 15 minutes at a time. A dollhouse is different, though. I have so much fun acting out scenes with my kids and seeing what kind of escapades my kids think up for their dolls. Plus, with a dollhouse, part of the fun is decorating the dollhouse so I get to rearrange furniture to my heart’s content. (I will say my kids have very strong opinions about how I decorate so my choices don’t usually last for long.) Maybe you’re a perfectly normal human being who relishes play time with your kids, but, in case you’re like me, give a dollhouse a shot. Or, even if you do like playing with your kids, a dollhouse is just another tool in your mom arsenal.
4. Buy Yourself a Minute
We’ve all been there: your feral kids have asked you for their thirteenth snack in the last hour, the house looks like a bomb went off, and you can’t find your coffee because it’s still in the microwave from the last time you attempted to reheat it. Sometimes, a mom just needs a minute. A dollhouse is the perfect open-ended, creative toy that encourages independent play. If your child struggles to play independently, grab your cup of coffee, find a comfy spot in sight of the dollhouse, and offer him or her prompts: Can you show me how to decorate your dollhouse? Can your dolls make a dinner out of playdoh and eat at the table? Can the mama rock her baby to sleep and tuck her into her crib? Sometimes, kids just need a little nudge to get them thinking and then their creativity kicks in. I’ve seen my daughter Baylor spend 30 minutes simply tucking her doll into a bed over and over again. Once you’ve had a moment to yourself, go back to reason 3 of why every mom needs a dollhouse.
5. Get Creative
It can be so easy to lose yourself in the drudgery of everyday mommin’, but I promise it’s so crucial for us to have our own hobbies and a way to express ourselves creatively. You hit 2 birds with one stone when it comes to a dollhouse. Your kids have this awesome toy that helps them developmentally, and it helps you get those creative juices flowing. You would not believe how many moms I know (both in real life and customers of mine) who get so excited about decorating the dollhouse for each season or holiday. A good friend of mine even came up with this adorable light fixture that she made out of cheap items around the house. I was just as happy to see her share her joy of creating as I was to see her adorable girls play with their dollhouse. A dollhouse is a way to have fun and think outside the box. Plus, if you don’t like something, everything is tiny and easy to fix.
I hope I've convinced you how much fun a dollhouse can be for a grownup. Still don't believe me? Get a dollhouse and try it out. I guarantee you won't regret it. Until next time, Mini Adventurers!