In Clover, South Carolina, 2-year-old Sophia Benner has a profound love for both dolls and doctors. During a trip to Target to celebrate the end of her potty training, she encountered a doll dressed as a doctor, and her desire to have it was instant.
Sophia, who is set to turn 3 in June, expressed her wish to her mother, Brandi Benner, who recalled the moment. "She was looking at all the dolls and telling me they were all so pretty, and when she saw the doctor one, she stopped and said, ‘Mommy, she’s a doctor like me! I want this one,’" said Brandi.
However, when Sophia brought the doll to the cashier, the reaction was unexpected. The cashier questioned Sophia's choice, asking, "Are you sure this is the doll you want, honey?" She suggested other dolls that supposedly looked more like Sophia.
But little Sophia was quick to respond, "Yes, she does. She’s a doctor like I’m a doctor. And I’m a pretty girl and she’s a pretty girl. See her pretty hair? And see her stethoscope?"
Sophia's unwavering reply made the cashier reconsider. She commented, "Oh, that’s nice."
Brandi, Sophia's mother, feels proud of her daughter's reaction, but she was surprised by the overwhelming response the story received. She had shared it on Facebook, not expecting it to go viral.
"A child of one color wanting a doll of another color shouldn’t be a concern," Brandi emphasizes. "I just shared it for my friends and family and thought it was cool my daughter stuck up for herself without me having to do anything. But I’m so thankful that people have been touched by it. It was a really proud mom moment."
Brandi credits her daughter's mature response to their parenting style that revolves around love. Her message is clear: "We’re not going to do everything right, but if we can get them to have big hearts, then we have done something right."
Sophia's fascination with doctors and her desire to be like them has been ongoing. Her mother shared that Sophia has been calling herself "Dr. Sophia" for about a year. This interest was sparked during a visit to her pediatrician's office when Sophia got to explore her doctor's bag. She also enjoys the children's show "Doc McStuffins," where she learned words like "stethoscope."
The story of Sophia's unwavering choice has resonated with people, and it's a testament to the power of a child's innocence and the importance of accepting and celebrating our differences.