Worry dolls are small, colored dolls used to soothe a person’s fears and worries, often children, and are believed to date back to Mayan traditions. They are used by conveying concerns to the doll and placing it under the pillow before sleep. Making worry dolls at home is easy and can involve children in the process. From a psychological point of view, using worry dolls is valid for mild or moderate anxiety.
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 they can sleep soundly. These dolls are believed to date back to Mayan traditions. Colored dolls, which are typically 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 is dressed in remnants or scraps of clothing. They are usually very cheap and can be found in some specialized shops, ordered on the Internet or made at home.
How the dolls are used
In the Guatemalan tradition, a person uses a set of dolls each night by telling one of the dolls a concern, which actually conveys that concern to the doll. The person then places the doll under their pillow before going to sleep. A different doll in the set may be given another concern the next night, and that doll is also placed under the person’s pillow. Sets can also be shared between family members, such as in a family with multiple children.
These dolls are seen as a way to help anxious children express their concerns, which could help promote better sleep. Some parents will remove the doll during the night, symbolizing that the worry is gone. That doesn’t necessarily mean the child won’t have that worry again, and experts caution parents that a child’s strong anxieties shouldn’t be minimized. Parents who want a child to continue dealing with particular anxiety could skip the removal process and let the child know that the doll is getting rid of the worry so she can get a good night’s sleep.
Psychologically healthy
From a psychological point of view, using worry dolls is quite valid. Intention, faith, and belief can all play a part in a young person’s ability to release anxiety, especially when it is mild or moderate. Severe anxiety may not be well dealt with by dolls because it may be chemical in origin and therefore require psychiatric treatment. For children who have regular, occasional worries, however, a doll could give them more restful nights.
Making dolls at home
Making worry dolls doesn’t require a person to be artistic. Wooden clothespins with knobs can be used to make larger dolls and are a great craft to do with a child. Pieces of fabric can be glued to the clothespin, and the child can draw a small face on it. More elaborate dolls can of course be made as well, but regardless of the craftsmanship of a homemade doll, a child involved in the process may feel even more connected to it, which may aid in its intended purpose of removing the child’s worries.
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