6 Simple Reasons Disney Needs to #RenewDocMcStuffins

Let me start this post by saying: Disney nor Disney Junior have confirmed anything about Doc McStuffins being cancelled after Season 4 premieres later this month. That being said…they also haven’t confirmed that it is not being cancelled. This is why #RenewDocMcStuffins started trending this past Saturday, July 2nd and people are still bombarding the Twittersphere with pleas and photos of their kids begging Disney not to cancel this show. This is the last communication about it and pinned tweet from Disney Junior.

But like everyone else, I too want to know: What exactly does that mean? If you’re not familiar with Doc McStuffins, I guarantee that after watching just a few minutes of an episode, you’ll understand why so many of us are concerned about the slightest possibility of it going away. We had the chance to meet Doc McStuffins when we

If you’re not familiar with Doc McStuffins, I guarantee that after watching just a few minutes of an episode, you’ll understand why so many of us are concerned about the slightest possibility of it going away. We had the chance to meet Doc McStuffins when we went to Disney in May, and my kids were so excited (ok, I was too)!

Dottie “Doc” McStuffins is a nurturing 6-year-old girl who cares for stuffed animals and toys in her playhouse clinic. When she puts on her stethoscope, something magical happens — toys, dolls and stuffed animals come to life and she can communicate with them. Like any good doctor, Doc has assistants helping her at her clinic. Her stuffed animal friends who assist Doc include exceedingly proud dragon Stuffy, cuddly best friend Lambie and caring hippo nurse Hallie. Whether it’s loose stitching, low batteries or a blow-up toy that has sprung a leak, Doc and her friends are there to fix up the stuffed animals and toys.

When I first heard the news, it was because I was tagged in a tweet on Twitter. As I continued searching and reading, I came across this article on The Root and shared it to my Facebook page.

Here are 6 simple reasons Disney needs to #RenewDocMcStuffins

Because how do we explain this to our children?

If you just look at a few of the tweets and messages going around on social media, everyone is in agreement: How in the world would we explain this sad news if it were to happen to our children who love Doc McStuffins so much? I asked my daughter how she would feel and she told me she would be really sad and wouldn’t want to watch anything else on TV. A little much? Maybe. But that’s just how sad we would be.

It’s the only cartoon that my young brown kids can see themselves in

Let’s face it, positive representation of African-American pre-school shows on TV are slim to none after Doc McStuffins. Not only can my children see themselves in her, but they see that they can aspire to be something other than a princess, a rockstar or a superhero. Don’t get me wrong, we love princesses and rockstars. But Doc gives our kids a new vision for what they can be when they grow up. And honestly, it’s the only cartoon the son doesn’t fight the daughters on watching cause we all watch together.

Also related: When Your Daughter is Told “Brown Girls Can’t Be Supermodels”

The kids anxiously awaiting the Doc's signature in their autograph books at Disney

The kids anxiously awaiting the Doc’s signature in their autograph books at Disney

It breaks down real life lessons in a way my kids can understand

Doc McStuffins has covered a lot of ground and real-life scenarios. From the awkwardness of making new friends, to learning how to love what’s unique about you, to what it means to adopt, there are some great life lessons to learn. And of course, I love that Doc’s mom is a Doctor, but she’s also a fab wife and amazing mom. This demonstrates that being a mom doesn’t mean you have to give up on your goals and dreams.

It teaches my kids to love and appreciate everyone, despite their differences

I love the fact that Doc has all different types of toy friends – big, small, funny, quiet, squeaky, etc. She does not discriminate even against other people’s toys 🙂 I always talk to my kids about the importance of treating others like they want to be treated. Doc is a great example of doing just that. She takes every toy in with the same respect and courtesy as if they were her own.

Kids remember the manners taught by Doc

When we tell our kids to wash their hands before they eat, or make sure they don’t sneeze all over people, they don’t always remember. But when it comes time to exercise some basic manners and life skills, the kids seem to always remember what is said (or sung) when the Doc is in.

Doc McStuffins has inspired real-life African American Doctors

I have seen tweets from AA Physicians (particularly Pediatricians) that acknowledge the fact that their patients aren’t afraid of them because of Doc McStuffins which makes doctor visits that much easier. The Armetis Medical Society was created as a result of Doc and the gang. This is a group of female Physicians of color whose goal is to promote and encourage a younger generation to embark in the medical career field where there is still so little representation. What I love is that Doc McStuffins is loved by everyone from all walks of life, religious background, race, etc. Here are a few tweets that stuck out to me. Chris Nee is the Creator and Executive Producer for Doc McStuffins (Follow and Tweet her here with your support: @ChrisDocNee). So if she’s worried about it enough to tweet about it, then so should we:

Even celebrities like Holly Robinson Peete have chimed in with their thoughts:

If you love Doc McStuffins as much as we do, and you feel like it should stick around for a long time, can you share this post and comment below with your own reason to add to the list?

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14 Comments

  • Eva
    July 6, 2016 at 9:30 AM

    I hate to see this show go! When it came out, I remember thinking that I wish it had come out earlier so that my youngest could enjoy it. My mom was a physician, and I know merchandise from shows like this would have been all over her office… shows on a constant loop on the TV in the waiting room. It is important, I hope they reconsider.
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  • TiffanyArlene
    July 6, 2016 at 11:11 AM

    I still can’t believe this! My little siblings and cousins love Doc McStuffins, and look up to her as a positive role model. I hope they reconsider too.
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    • Christine St.Vil
      July 6, 2016 at 6:35 PM

      Me too Tiffany! I think people aren’t as concerned because they see that new episodes will start airing this month. But that is for Season 4, and nothing yet has been confirmed to move forward after this season, which is a shame 🙁

  • Tia
    July 6, 2016 at 12:13 PM

    I hope this show is not leaving! It is so important that our children are positive role models on tv. It also shows them they can do anything they put their minds too. I will def share this now!

  • Marsha
    July 6, 2016 at 2:16 PM

    I’m with you on that! We need to keep Doc McStuffins and other shows like it. Our kids need these positive messages and images.
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  • Joanna
    July 6, 2016 at 3:03 PM

    I’ve never watched this show, but the fact that she is a young black girl, I don’t mine buying the shirts and toys for my niece. Even if she doesn’t watch the show. I’ve read that Disney’s focusing more on the Hispanic community with their new princess. Why not have both?
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  • Tanya Barnett
    July 6, 2016 at 8:13 PM

    Even though I no longer have little people, I always made sure they had dolls and books with people who looked like them. My prayer is that Disney will reconsider.

  • Kim
    July 7, 2016 at 8:04 PM

    I was sad to hear that they weren’t renewing it. Our daughter, who is now 5 LOVED the show. She doesn’t watch it as often anymore, but I do catch myself watching it at times without her. To lose the show would remove one of few cartoons for brown girls to relate to.
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  • Allison Jones
    July 7, 2016 at 10:51 PM

    I’m so for this! SO many little brown girls need this show. I’m a grown up and even I enjoy it.

  • Mimi Green
    July 8, 2016 at 8:52 AM

    WHY! Nori and I love this show and we frequently watch it together. For the first time ever a little black girl has had her own cartoon. Why would you just take that away? I know the show has done well, and collectively every little brown girl is front and center watching. My daughter has several Doc’s and the rest of the crew. Every week she asks if a new episode has recorded on the DVR.

    I’ve struggled to find new episodes about the new baby. I need them to understand the importance of this show for little girl that don’t have the same skin color as them.
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    • Christine St.Vil
      July 12, 2016 at 5:42 PM

      Yes, girl I know!!! I happened to stumble on the episode of the new baby halfway through. I was initially confused because I didn’t see the mom was pregnant, but then saw she was leaving to go to the hospital to have the baby. Then I saw them explaining the fact that they were adopting the new baby. It’s a really cute episode.

  • Nay
    July 9, 2016 at 1:09 AM

    This is horrible. This is a great show for young girls to watch. Not only for brown girls but to all. It allows all children, especially our brown little girls to aspire and think more about academia. I hope they keep the program.

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