"Grandma Loves Me Doll"
San Diego , CA. –A new doll created by two North County grandmothers brings families-- separated by distance and sometimes military deployment-- closer together. The doll is customized to look and sound like a child’s mother or grandmother. Both versions of the doll, “Miss My Mommy” and “Grandma Loves Me,” are popular with young children, aged three to eight, because they’re so familiar.
“It’s a wonderful way for children to remember someone very close to them,” says Linda Geitner, one of the founders of Mommies, Munchkins and More, the company that makes the one of a kind doll. “When my young granddaughter moved to Ireland, I was so concerned she’d forget me that I created a doll in my image that played audio messages recorded by me, right here in California. She takes the doll everywhere with her and loves seeing my face and listening to my voice.”
Geitner and business partner Pamela Chappel say the soft, huggable 18” cloth doll can ease the stress of separation and help young children stay connected with family. The family member can be a grandmother who lives thousands of miles away or a mother in uniform deployed to a war zone.
“Our dolls give comfort to the children of military families who may be traumatized by a separation that lasts for months,” says Geitner. “Holding onto and playing with a doll that resembles and even sounds like their mother lessens a small child’s anxiety.”
Each doll is personalized with a familiar “photo face” that matches features, skin tone, hair color and style to the real mom or grandmother. An optional voice recorder allows for a special message. “Miss My Mommy” dolls are dressed in professional work clothes, casual jeans or trendy sweats. “Grandma Loves Me” dolls are outfitted in jeans, a dress with an apron or soft flannel pajamas/nightgown and robe. Additional outfits are available to make the play time experience even more fun
According to noted family therapist Michele Germain, “These dolls can assist in healthy bonding, which is so important to a child’s overall development. They can reassure a child when mom simply has to leave for work or just go shopping.”
“In an age when globalization has brought the world closer together, more and more families are living apart,” adds Geitner. “While our dolls ease the stress of separation, they also promote independence and support family relationships. At the same time, the dolls encourage creative and imaginative play.”
The Mommies, Munchkins and More Internet site at www.mommiesmunchkinsandmore.com is fast loading and easy to use. Customers can order via a secure shopping basket system.
Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/
