The School for Good Mothers

The first lesson is about “motherese,” the way that American mothers speak to children in high-pitched voices, which always seemed unnatural to Frida and which her own mother did not do. The mothers are also supposed to make constant eye contact and answer all the dolls’ questions. Because they’re being monitored, Frida can’t ask Emmanuelle who made her, what her needs are, and what happens when she freezes. Instead, she asks if Emmanuelle is friends with the other girls, which she isn’t. The mothers practice different types of hugs and kisses, but not on the lips, which the instructors say is “European” and invites child molesters. They also think hugs should last three seconds, whereas Frida hugs Emmanuelle for three minutes. The dolls don’t receive nap time like human children their age would, but they also don’t react to sleep deprivation the way human children would, by getting fussy and irritable; instead, they become “subdued” and unresponsive, making the mothers’ classroom exercises difficult to complete.

Frida’s roommate Helen quits the program after the first day. Various rumors circulate, but Frida refuses to gossip, and other mothers verbally abuse her. Helen’s doll was aggressive and insulted her.