Babyish DD?

[Quibble]

My niece came around earlier with my sister. She is a year younger than my DD who is 14. Anyway DD took niece up to her room and five minutes later, Niece came back down, sat on the sofa but didn't say anything (but looked like she wanted to IYSWIM)

Anyway sister asked her what was wrong and she gave her one of those looks that says "dont ask now, ill tell you later" and a few minutes later DD came down looking a bit upset.

Anyway when they'd gone I asked my DD what had happened and she got upset and said that niece had said her bedroom was babyish and that all her things were for little kids! .

My other daughter tends to agree with this opinion and often tells me that dd2 is babyish and we should encourage her to grow up.

She is Cartoon Network posters on her wall, is currently collecting Ben 10 figures and for christmas has asked for a number of cartoon network/ben 10 games etc.

Should I encourage her to grow up or leave her as she is?

[lilolilmanchester]

When I was 14 my mates and all took a backward step and were in to Snoopy and Holly Hobby (having been ever so grown up and cool 11 -13). I also took my complete collection of cuddly toys to uni with me. If your DD really likes her room and her things, then tell her it is actually very grown up to be able to tell other people to get lost because she likes things they way they are. Depends whether other aspects of her behaviour are immature and causing her social problems. A lot of 14 year olds are like 18 year olds, and that's not good either IMO.

[carmenm]

Tell her to be an individual. My niece is very similar. She's a wonderful girl and does what she likes. She doesn't have many friends because she doesn't like boys, drinking, etc. She is happy though and very clever and mature. Kids should be kids, IMO. She'll have plenty of time to be grown up...

[Maidamess]

I think its nice she is into things like that. So many young girls (I'm talking 11,12) are into make up, sexy dancing, boys, etc that its nice to let them hang onto being young for as long as possible. My friends dd is 12 and still enjoys dressing up!

[Magdelanian]

My DD is 13 and a half and is always glued to CBBC. Sticks to me like glue to and doesnt do the teenage stuff. I do wonder if its ok but just let her be. She is in other ways very mature. They are all individuals.

[fullmoonfiend]

leave her as she is. She will 'grow up' when it is right for her. I speak as one who suffered the mortification of a schoolfriend telling the class sneeringly, that I was a baby because I still had a doll's house. I was 12. It was a proper nice one with lovingly collected furniture and hand-painted pictures on the walls. But at 12 I had not started my periods, had no boobs etc. I was entitled to still be a girl, because I still was. Soon 'caught up' aged 15/16 when I blossomed though.

[claricebeansmum]

My DD although younger than yours (9) is "younger" than her class mates IYSWIM. There is so much going on that she is just not interested in - and admire that. She is her own person and does not get swept along in the crowd. I say let you DD be - she will grow up but let her in her own time.

[shrooms]

Leave her be if she is happy, healthy and has a good social life! So what if she is in to cartoons - they are fun! Sounds like your niece needs to keep buttoned...

[mumeeee]

Let her grow up in her own time.DD3 15 still played with dolls at 12 but now she is into music and all the other usual teen stuff.