You can be anything with Barbie #playadvocate

anythingbarbie

Do you remember what you wanted to be when you grew up when you were a kid? What I had expected to become is far off from what I actually ended up doing.

When I started University I planned on going to medical school to be a sports medicine specialist. I love sports and helping people and thought this would be the perfect job of putting together two of my interests. When I started school, I quickly realized that it wasn’t the path I was going to take. I decided to major in Sociology which left me a lot of options for graduate school but a lot of nothing to do on its own.

It was my first summer working at an overnight camp in Pennsylvania that my future career found me. I was placed with the oldest kids but it wasn’t the right fit for me. I spoke with my boss and he said that they could use me in their Atzmayim (or special needs) program. The program gave children with disabilities a chance to be included into the regular camping environment with the necessary accommodations. There were a variety of children with a variety of conditions but they all had one goal which was to enjoy camp! I had never worked with children with special needs before but I decided to take a chance. That chance opened my eyes. I met some of the most wonderfully amazing children and teens. Many of the Atzmayim campers had autism which at the time I didn’t know a thing about. It was a big learning curve and challenge for me but one that I was so excited about.

That summer changed my life. After 2 summers of working with children with special needs, I decided that it was this field that had my heart. I loved making a daily difference in children’s lives. Once I graduated from University I was hired to do behavioural therapy for children with autism. I have now been in the field for over 10 years. Taking that chance at camp changed my life forever.

Now, that I have kids, especially a daughter, I tell her that she can be anything she wants to be! Currently she wants to be a teacher-doctor who teaches dance. But I’m encouraging her to follow her heart and passion. This fall, Barbie has launched their “You Can Be Anything” campaign! With over 155 careers and counting, there isn’t a plastic ceiling Barbie hasn’t broken. From Mermaid to Movie Star, Pet Vet to Police Officer, Fashionista to Fairy Princess, there are countless choices for your little ones to let their imagination soar. There’s no such thing as too wild a dream, too big a hope or too fantastic a wish when it comes to Barbie.

Eye Doctor Barbie

I love that the new You Can Be Anything Barbie collection. It gives kids the chance to role play a variety of careers they are interested in or some they may have never been exposed to. My favourite is the Barbie® Careers Eye Doctor Playset. It provides an opportunity to role play being the doctor and patient. Last year Princess Peach had to visit the eye doctor twice. This playset would have come in handy before to role play so that she wouldn’t be as scared of the unknown for her first visit.

Win It!

One (1) lucky Canadian (excluding Quebec) My So-Called Mommy Life reader will win a Barbie® “You Can be Anything” Prize pack that includes: Barbie® Careers Eye Doctor Playset and two Barbie® Fashionista dolls with a value of $49.99.

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Comments

  1. Tracey Flattes says:

    I always wanted to be a teacher – which I did! However, now I am older I would love to work in tourism!

  2. Juliee Fitze says:

    I always wanted to be a hairdresser.

  3. cesnaava2013 says:

    I always wanted to be a singer…too bad I can’t sing!

  4. Viv Sluys says:

    When I was little I wanted to be a dentist.

  5. Yvette says:

    Hi Renne! I wanted to be a teacher! And I am!! I loved Barbie growing up!
    Also do you know where I can find the Barbie babysitter in this collection? I’ve looked on line and stores like toys r us and Walmart….out of stock…she’s no where to be found and my little girl is hoping Santa can find her!! Any suggestions?

  6. Eli says:

    I wanted to be a doctor. But that never happened… Although I sort of still wish I will become one one day

  7. Erin W says:

    I wanted to be a marine biologist! The things that could have been. ha.

  8. angela m says:

    I wanted to be a Princess.. LOL

  9. Jeannie Lam says:

    Growing up I wanted to be a dog trainer!

  10. sschool2010 says:

    I wanted to be a teacher too like Yvette! Very cool! (Suzi)

  11. Jaime Perlstein says:

    I wanted to be a teacher!

  12. julielaura1 says:

    I always wanted to be a nanny!

  13. edmontonjb says:

    I wanted to be a teacher or a truck driver when I was little

    Jonnie

  14. lori b says:

    i wanted to be a doctor.

  15. Courtney says:

    I wanted to be a teacher!

  16. I wanted to be a chef.

  17. Tamar says:

    I wanted to be a vet…or an ice cream tester 😛

  18. Darlene S. says:

    I wanted to be a nurse or teacher…. interestingly enough I don’t have the patience for either one of those career choices lol

  19. SueSueper says:

    I wanted to be a bus driver.

  20. Nate Fuller says:

    I wanted to be a comic book illustrator!

  21. Jenny says:

    i wanted to be a vet

  22. lisa neutel says:

    i always wanted to be a teacher

  23. Gillian Morgan says:

    I wanted to be a nurse but I don’t handle puke so well.

  24. marie s says:

    I wanted to be a teacher

  25. Pam says:

    I wanted to be a French Teacher.

  26. Florence Cochrane says:

    I wanted to be a nurse but I really never had the stomach for it.

  27. Theresa Black says:

    i wanted to be a dance or work in Disneyland.

  28. Cheryl says:

    I wanted to be a chef 🙂

  29. Holly MacRitchie says:

    I wanted to be a teacher

  30. Wendy hutton says:

    I wanted to be a teacher like our neighbour was

  31. Tricia says:

    I wanted to be a Momma!

  32. Ira says:

    A professional dancer and dance instructor (and I was for a while :))

  33. ivy pluchinsky says:

    I wanted to be a ballet teacher

  34. Brenda Lacourciere says:

    i wanted to be a teacher.

  35. I always wanted to be a racecar driver

  36. Jenness M says:

    I wanted to be a vet when I was little.

  37. piroska says:

    I wanted to be a stewardess (back in the 70s, that’s what they were called).

  38. ShiftMama says:

    I wanted to be a writer.

  39. Silvia D says:

    i wanted to be either a kindergarten teacher or own my own business!

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