Egluntyne Posted January 3, 2008 Share Posted January 3, 2008 Tessa, sounds like they want babies without all the mess and hassle Didn't we all! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 3, 2008 Share Posted January 3, 2008 Fair enough! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kannie Posted January 3, 2008 Share Posted January 3, 2008 I agree it was bizarre! I think the reaction of the grandmother's husband, when he saw his wife's new doll/baby was telling. He said it looked as if it had come off the mortury slab, and then left the room - he was clearly quite shaken & upset. The grandmother also said, earlier on, something like: when you've got a baby, people notice you: they make you someone instead of no-one. I thought that pointed to issues deeper than just her 'loss' of her grandson. Some very sad people. I liked the woman who was making them though: very clever with her hands. Did anyone get a clue what the dolls torsos were like though? I only saw heads, arms and legs! (It was bizarre when her children were playing with body parts as appendages!!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 3, 2008 Share Posted January 3, 2008 I must admit that I'm not fond of these lifelike dolls and babies - they look like dead children Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 3, 2008 Share Posted January 3, 2008 I must admit that I'm not fond of these lifelike dolls and babies - they look like dead children I agree...anything like that totally freaks me out. I can't bear ventriloquists dummies either. An aunt of Him Indoors has a bit of a cottage industry going, dressing Victorian Dolls. Whenever we go to visit she likes to give us a little tour of her workroom and show us her latest creation. I am rigid with horror/terror and can't get out of the room fast enough. She always has orders on the go and makes a steady bit of pin money, so they are obviously popular. It must be me. I've Sky plussed it, but don't know if I can bring myself to watch it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 3, 2008 Share Posted January 3, 2008 Did anyone get a clue what the dolls torsos were like though? I only saw heads, arms and legs! (It was bizarre when her children were playing with body parts as appendages!!) I think that the bodies are made from some kind of fabric, and then filled with some kind of bean, to make the desired weight up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted January 3, 2008 Share Posted January 3, 2008 As a collector of Teddy bears like Steiff, Hermann etc - my Nana once bought me a berenguer reborn doll to sit on my lloyd loom chair with my bears. It did weigh about 7lb, like a real baby, it was filled with like lead shot, had real rooted hair, wet looking lips, real feel skin, wrinkles sewn into it's body & the best bit.....it's nostrils opened so it could breathe!!!! It came with a leaflet on the making process! They paint them sort of pinkish in the face & then give them a blush!!!! It is horrid! It's not normal, to me it's like embalming!!!! The doll was sold about 2 weeks after I was given it, I hated it. It made me sick too, that it fetched £92 when I sold it on ebay! It's a horrible wierd fetish all these reborn dolls & yes, they are like dead children! Disgusting! Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGirlsMum Posted January 3, 2008 Share Posted January 3, 2008 It made me feel very uneasy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kannie Posted January 3, 2008 Share Posted January 3, 2008 On the other hand, maybe its really a positive thing for these people. After all as someone said, its not doing anyone any harm. It has even been found that dolls can help people with dementia, by helping them communicate, find a sense of purpose, play, etc. See here: http://dementiacarematters.com/dolltherapy_print.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted January 3, 2008 Share Posted January 3, 2008 They were mentioned on here quite a while ago and I had a look on Ebay then. I'd been looking for antique dolls with no luck. I have two family Christening dresses and wanted to put them on dolls to display rather than just have the dresses in a cupboard. I have two basic dolls (ready to be reborn). I find them slightly disturbing and wouldn't want to take it any further. No-one else in the family likes them either. I've watched the programme now and I also think the programme makers hyped it up really. The woman who went to America seems seriously disturbed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffie Posted January 3, 2008 Share Posted January 3, 2008 It's a difficult one really, I found it uncomfortable (only watched half) I wondered if it would be preferable to move on with some support, it was like bereavement. I have to say, as a woman with no children, our pets fulfil my maternal instinct. Daisie goes just about everywhere with us and makes life so wonderful and the girls do satisfy the mum in me too, as do our cats but they are more independent. Each to their own I guess. I want something living and loving to share life with. The photo with the couple and the doll was very odd. BBx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted January 3, 2008 Share Posted January 3, 2008 On the other hand, maybe its really a positive thing for these people. After all as someone said, its not doing anyone any harm. It has even been found that dolls can help people with dementia, by helping them communicate, find a sense of purpose, play, etc. See here: http://dementiacarematters.com/dolltherapy_print.htm Interesting article Christine - they obviously have a place here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted January 3, 2008 Share Posted January 3, 2008 I have to say, as a woman with no children, our pets fulfil my maternal instinct. Daisie goes just about everywhere with us and makes life so wonderful and the girls do satisfy the mum in me too. Each to their own I guess. I want something living and loving to share life with. Im exactly the same. I did watch the programme, I couldnt believe how much the woman spent in harrods on the "doll" outfits AND she looked incredibly like Cilla Battersby! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted January 3, 2008 Share Posted January 3, 2008 - I wondered where she'd got to! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 3, 2008 Share Posted January 3, 2008 You have to ask yourself how you would react if your best friend suddenly decided that she had to have one. Would you support her and go shopping with her with it in a pushchair or would you run a mile. I think I know which option I would take. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted January 3, 2008 Share Posted January 3, 2008 I didn't see the programme, so unable to comment about it. However, I did a google for reborn dolls as I've never heard of them before. Several on ebay - they are very lifelike (or deathlike) aren't they! But I'm a bit gobsmacked at the questions asked by potential buyers of these dolls - "does this 'baby' (note, not doll) have an umbilical cord, if not can one be attached", and "is the mouth magnetised to take a dummy". I can't get around the need for an umbilical cord (unless for childbirth demo purposes) and why have a dummy if it doesn't cry in the first place???? Seriously creepy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cate in NZ Posted January 3, 2008 Share Posted January 3, 2008 AND she looked incredibly like Cilla Battersby! Entirely off topic but "Cilla Battersby" was eating in McDonalds Dartford yesterday, at the same time as son and several of his mates descended on the place . She's currently appearing as the Wicked Queen in "Snow White" at Dartford theatre. Sorry, but someone (Lesley ) did ask where she'd gone too I watched the programme yesterday as well, and I found it odd, but harmless. I think that the editing was misleading and probably misrepresented the women featured. It wouldn't be for me, and I couldn't afford to spend out that kind of money on a doll and all those clothes. But I know plenty of people who've politely suggested that I was mad for keeping pet chickens, and as for spending all that money on a chicken house . Of course, I know that I'm entirely sane, but I'm sure those women feel the same way, just a hobby that possibly fills a space in their lives. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kannie Posted January 3, 2008 Share Posted January 3, 2008 What I find strange is that these women take their dolls out in prams. Surely if passers by look in, they're likely to get incredibly odd reactions. I know the dolls are quite realistic, but they don't look real or alive... Could quite freak people out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shirl Posted January 3, 2008 Share Posted January 3, 2008 I must admit I thought my daughter would love one of these Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted January 3, 2008 Share Posted January 3, 2008 Just watched this on replay. I've got a sore forehead from all the facial expressions I couldn't help - shock, horror, repulsion, sadness, - had a bottle of wine so can't think of any more . Scary moments for me: 1. The fingernails of the woman who went to America. Just as well she didn't have a real baby, she'd have caused lacerations. 2. Taking a Silver Cross pram out in your car if you don't actually have to. WHY??? Any why did she take a pram out to America - it's a doll, not a baby. You could carry it in your hand luggage (I know, I'm missing the point ). 3. As mentioned before, the "family" photo. (Why did she get a dark-skinned "baby" - nothing wrong with that at all, but you would imagine you'd want your "baby" to look like it was yours . Hope that doesn't sound wrong ) ) 4. The amount she spent on baby clothes - and a bottle holder (what?!) and what were those shoes about?? 5. The impression that Harry and his mother had died - that wasn't necessary. 6. Returning the baby because it had a crack in its skull. "It's got an imperfection so I'm returning it". Again, just as well she didn't have a real one. 7. The head and limbs cooking in the oven. 8. The "hair" being punched into the head. 9. The limbs being played with by the kids (very funny actually). 10. The appearance of the dolls - some of them were downright scary. 11. The comments of aforementioned woman - "I'd have a child if you could select one that was quiet and well-behaved". 12. The nappy covering the face of the "baby" in America - not to mention all the other packing (bubblewrap etc). I'd better stop now. I'm on a semi-drunken rant. My last comment, I did have tears in my eyes (doesn't take much, granted) when the granny picked up "Harry2". Last word to Harry1 - "it's a doll". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 3, 2008 Share Posted January 3, 2008 I have to say that it all sounds rather bizarre to me - like they need to fill a space in their lives or feel loved. I once worked with a single woman, who lied to a doctor to get fertility drugs, then coerced an ex boyfriend to sleeping with her again, got pregnant and intended raising the baby on her own because she'd 'always wanted a baby to love her'! I'm afraid that I gave her a piece of my mind about the deceipt and lack of responsibility involved. I hear that she's had a nervous breakdown with the strain of bringing up the child on her own..... feel very sorry for her. Now her family won't speak to her and her child might be taken into care... perhaps a doll would've been a safer option? (the above is just an anecdote to illustrate my point and not intended to offend anyone) I can sympathise with them to some extent, i know what it's like to long for another child.. but common sense prevails, that and a house full of animals! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 3, 2008 Share Posted January 3, 2008 Poor soul. There is no guarantee that they will love you either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted January 3, 2008 Share Posted January 3, 2008 7. The head and limbs cooking in the oven. . I know?! what was all that about eh?? If I asked my hubby to put a great big silver cross pram into the boot of a car for a doll to push around he'd be the 1st one to pack me up and send me off to the funny farm The Janice Battersby's lookalike hubby was very laid back about it all wasnt he?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted January 4, 2008 Share Posted January 4, 2008 Part of the opening scene was the woman who makes them for a living going into the supermarket with a 'baby' in a car seat placed on the trolley.... and offering to sell her baby to startled customers! What if she picked someone who didn't have time to chat about her 'work' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffie Posted January 4, 2008 Share Posted January 4, 2008 It was Tesco Lesley and they'd have to give permission for filming etc. My opinion couldn't get much lower. Imagine how that question could cause so much distress too BBx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
