Christian Forums

I needed a forum to come to for help. I Googled and found this forum.
Without introductions, I would just like to ask a question. I already know
my answer but I just do not know what to do about it.

I am 62 years old and have been a grandmother for 2 years now. I had
begun to give up hope for grandchildren. My daughter brought a stepdaughter
into our family. Then my son married last August and brought three more
step-grandchildren into our family and then presented us with a granddaughter
in December. I am just elated with all of these gifts from Heaven. Thank you Jesus!

I went to the 9th birthday party for my granddaughter. She was very excited over a gift
she had received. Worry Dolls. When one is worried about something, you tell your worry
to the doll and then you will have a good nights sleep and the worry dolls will take away
your worries.

This concerns me. It seems to me New Age. I feel that we should be praying and taking our
fears and worries to God. I was in shock. My Daughter-in-law and I are on shaky ground,
she likes Drama and is able to pretty much drag my son into the frey. So I have to be very
wary around her, so as not to something that can be taken wrong. I believe that she loves
me and I love her, but it is an egg shell situation.

Should I just keep my concerns to myself or should I talk to my son and daughter-in-law.
Should I just be the example when my grandchildren are here? Should we talk before bedtime
and then turn our worries over to the Lord. I am sick about this. Thank you, in advance for any help
that you can give me. Until then, I will turn this over to the Lord. Again, thank you.

Are they Christians?

wow. Thats tough and must weigh on your heart so much!

Are they believers? Do they attend church?

We should give our worries and fears over to God, a doll will do nothing, not so with the Lord.

I sense that your concern may be a worry dolls connection to the occult, I don't see that as an issue.  It is no more so than the tooth fairy or Santa Claus, although some Christians also express concerns about these mythological creatures also. 

Worry dolls are not new age, they have been a part of Guatemalan culture too long to be "new". 

I wonder would you feel the same concern if the child had a regular doll that she confided in and told her worries too.  Children live rich fantasy lives reinforced by active imaginations, this is healthy to a child.

The thing is children will soon outgrow the fantasies of childhood and their imaginations will dwindle,  God however endures, for He is real.

I wouldn't sweat the worry dolls, ignore them, they will pass.  Concentrate on developing your grandchildren's relationship with God, that is the important thing, the worry dolls will soon be forgotten.

If they arent Christians then its understable, but I cant really see any connection to the occult or new age here.

They are her parents, and they need to make the decisions for their children. You can have input as their grandmother in good way. 

IF they are Christians then I am pretty surprised they have bought her this doll.

I would be encouraging her at that age to come to her parents with any worries.

Quote from: chosenone on Wed Jun 25, 2014 - 04:15:32
If they arent Christians then its understable, but I cant really see any connection to the occult or new age here.

They are her parents, and they need to make the decisions for their children. You can have input as their grandmother in good way. 

IF they are Christians then I am pretty surprised they have bought her this doll.

I would be encouraging her at that age to come to her parents with any worries.

Well said sister, already the OP stated she is on "shaky ground", in such situations where our control is extremely limited we must be subtle, crafty like a serpent.  We must be very careful what battles we choose to engage, and worry dolls does not seem worthy of upsetting an already tenuous relationship.

Not sure if you have encountered these before, but just FYI the worry dolls are not just one doll they come in sets, they are usually quite tiny.  A child can tell the doll her worry, then put the doll under her pillow.  Some parents then sneak in like the tooth fairy and remove the dolls, thus the worry. 

Kind of silly really, but I can see how it might reassure a child.

I can see how some Christians might worry about the worry dolls, just as Santa, Easter bunnies, tooth fairies etc, and to be fair their concerns are not invalid, I just don't hold the same point of view, disputable matters, insignificant battles when one considers the overall war.

I think you are right to worry about the worry dolls.  It is not a healthy example to set for a Christian child to learn prayer and truth.  It is not much different conceptually from worshipping an idol or teaching children that the earth is flat. 

Start taking your grand-children to church and Sunday school.  It is the only way you will be able to provide a reliable positive influence while circumventing the shaky ground.