Diva Bratz and Swooning Princesses: What's a girl to do?

I’m beginning to hate the toy aisle.

Yes, my daughter is a girl, and yes, I want her to be feminine. But does that mean she has to choose one of the giriie toys that are taking over TV commercial breaks and toy store aisles?

The girl toy aisle is easy to spot because a store clerk comes through every 15 minutes to spray-paint everything pink and sprinkle glitter. Tiara and Bubblegum lipsmacker supplies are also replenished frequently.

My 1-year-old daughter so far doesn’t seem to be into the girl toys. In fact, she seems to like cars and balls more than pink feather tutus, but I’m worried the sparkle of the girl aisle may soon turn Nicole’s head.

I’m particularly wary of that whole section of the toy store that has “Bratz” dolls featuring unnaturally skinny girls in miniskirts with dark lipliner and enough eye shadow to be a street walker. They even have Bratz Babyz now with mini-Bratz wearing what I can only assume is a coconut bra — a staple for any toddler’s wardrobe.

On the other extreme, there’s the sweetness of Disney princesses. Now, there’s nothing wrong with an occasional princess doll or costume on Halloween, but what worries me is the “princess stage” that many moms say is inevitable. You know, these are the girls you see decked out in a Cinderella gown and tiara at the Sizzler buffet. They also can tell you every Disney princess before they can finish the ABC’s, and absolutely cannot leave the house without some type of clear, high-heeled shoe that clacks against the pavement. I mean, what would people think?

Are these really the best role models we’ve got for our girls — swooning princesses and diva Bratz? Boys get G.I. Joes, policemen and firefighters as their heroes. Where are all the heroines?

Oh that’s right, they’re re-applying lipliner or waiting helplessly for a knight in shining armor. Excellent.

I’d like to avoid this princess/diva phase if possible and keep Nicole throwing a football until she’s well past the trap of the girlie aisle.

But is it possible? How can you fight the enticements (and overkill marketing) of the girlie toys?