Dolled Up

When Lucia turned four, we gifted her with an ivory doll at her dies natales celebration. This doll was able to move with jointed limbs, and Lucia was amazed and immediately obsessed with it. She loved taking care of the doll as if it was her own child, and together we sewed a tiny white tunic and leather belt for it to mimic her own clothing. I loved using this opportunity to teach her some basic household and mothering skills through her doll. For this reason, I'd highly recommend gifting your daughter with a doll when she's beginning to learn some of these skills. It's an easy and fun method of learning, and it reinforces the primary goal of a young girl's education: to be a successful wife and mother. I myself had an ivory doll when I was growing up, and I remember the joy and responsibility of having something to take care of that was entirely my own. Again, I recommend looking for ways to teach your children that are playful and interactive, but also structured and purposeful; this helps build a relationship with them while allowing them to develop the skills necessary for being a young Roman.

vale, et animum sume,

Octavia