More Just-Right Dolls

by Pam Connell | More from this Blogger

06 Dec 2008 03:28 AM

My last blogs told of two lines of dolls, one of school-age dolls and one of baby dolls, that had adoption stories attached to the dolls. Another source of dolls for multicultural families is Joy's Waldorf Dolls. The unique thing about this site: kits, patterns and doll parts are sold so that you can craft your own doll in whole or in part. Five shades of fabric are available for the skin, and five types of hair also. Floss in different colors is available for eyes, noses, mouths. There is an instructional DVD available for purchase, and a limited selection of premade heads , limbs and wigs.

Joy's Dolls also makes weighted baby dolls, often used for children with sensory integration difficulties. The dolls are typically 16 inches, 4 ½ pounds for children over four, and 12 inches, 2 ½ pounds for toddlers.

Weighted vests have been used in treatment for sensory integration. The doll works on the same principle. It is stuffed with organic millet in the limbs, giving it a pleasing smell and also the ability to retain some warmth. Some parents have reported that it's helpful in getting their child to sleep. These are bunting-style dolls, rounded on the bottom.

The Where's Waldorf website Features cloth dolls in various sizes and colorings. They have daddy dolls too! Need a doll family with a redheaded mom and older daughter, and an Asian dad carrying a baby in a sling? No problem! Latina mom with Asian baby? No problem! A mom with two babies, one African-American and one Caucasian? No problem!

The Where's Waldo folks also make pregnant dolls, and nursing dolls (apparently small magnets inside both dolls help the baby "latch on" to the mother's breast!). Their mother and father dolls are 16-18 inches tall, toddler dolls 12 inches, and baby dolls six inches. Due to requests for smaller dolls, they are now making some 12-inch mother dolls.

Dolls may be custom ordered, but sometimes at this time of year they get overloaded and announce that they can't take custom orders for a couple of months. They do have a variety of ready-made dolls to choose from.

Please see these related blogs:

Toys and Dolls for Multicultural Families

Gifts and Books for Adoptive Families

Learn more about Pam Connell

Pam Connell is a mother of three by both birth and adoption. She has worked in education, child care, social services, ministry and journalism.

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