Worry dolls, often called Guatemalan worry dolls, are small dolls that are used at night to soothe a person’s fears and worries, usually those of a child, so that he or she can sleep restfully. These dolls are believed to date back to Mayan traditions. The colorful dolls, which typically are 1 inch (2.54 cm) or less in length, usually come in a set of six or more in a box or bag. A small piece of wood is used for each doll’s body, and it is dressed in remnants or scraps of clothing. They generally are very inexpensive and can be found in some specialty stores, ordered over the Internet or made at home.
How the Dolls are Used
In Guatemalan tradition, a person uses a set of dolls each night by telling one of the dolls a worry, which effectively passes on that concern to the doll. The person then puts the doll under his or her pillow before going to sleep. A different doll in the set can be told another worry the next night, and that doll also is placed under the person’s pillow. Sets can even be shared among family members, such as in a family with several children.
These dolls are seen as a way to help anxious kids voice their worries, which might help promote better sleep. Some parents will remove the doll during the night, symbolizing that the concern is gone. This doesn’t necessarily mean that the child won’t have that worry again, and experts caution parents that a child’s strong anxieties should not be minimized. Parents who want a child to keep dealing with a particular anxiety might skip the removal process and let the child know that the doll is getting rid of the worry so that he or she can get a good night’s sleep.
Psychologically Sound
From a psychological standpoint, using worry dolls is quite sound. Intention, faith and belief can all play a role in a young person’s ability to shed anxiety, especially when it is mild or moderate. Severe anxiety might not be well addressed by the dolls because it might be of chemical origin and therefore require psychiatric treatment. For children who have normal, occasional worries, however, a doll might give them more restful nights.
Making Dolls at Home
Making worry dolls does not require a person to be artistic. Wooden, knobbed clothespins can be used to make larger dolls and are a great craft to do with a child. Pieces of cloth can be glued onto the clothespin, and a the child can draw a small face on it. More elaborate dolls also can be made, of course, but regardless of the craftsmanship of a homemade doll, a child who is involved in the process might feel even more connected to it, which can help in its intended purpose of removing the child’s worries.