How to select Waldorf doll size for DS? Doll kit advice?

[punrocker]

Hello! I've read/followed the Waldorf doll threads both here and in the Co-op forum, but the cost of dolls has been a deterrent. I've since reconsidered, but am unsure what size Waldorf doll would be appropriate for my nearly 2.5 year-old DS...plus affordable and relatively painless for me. I've looked at a variety of Waldorf doll sites, and Joy's Waldorf Dolls and Where's Waldorf were the most appealing in terms of looks.

DS is bi-racial (Filipino from me; Caucasian [French/Cuban and Scots/Irish] from DH), and I'd initially passed over a custom Waldorf doll because of the price. However, I just haven't been happy with the commercially availabe boy or Asian dolls, never mind Asian boy dolls.

I've checked the archives for Asian doll threads and I've looked (online) at Asian dolls by Bitty Baby; Baby Bottom (soft anatomically correct dolls); Just Born Baby; Corolle (girl); Fisher Price "Little Mommy" (girl) and FP "Little People Friend" Sonya Lee (girl); Cabbage Patch Kids; and a few others I can't recall. But, none of them really resemble DS--in the mass market doll world, "Asian" seems to equate Chinese or Japanese (no offense intended), which is why I'm reconsidering Waldorf dolls. Plus, there's the whole vinyl issue.

My quandary is that the custom dolls are pretty much out of my budget, except perhaps the 8 in. "Pocket Love" doll at Joy's, or maybe a 12" Where's Waldorf doll (depending if there are extra customization charges). However, making larger a doll from a kit (either the 10 in. "Brother" doll or 13 in. "Little Love" doll from Joy) is problematic, because I have carpal tunnel syndrome in both wrists--plus, limited sewing skills and no sewing machine. I'd have to upgrade to the pre-made head and pre-sewn body parts, so the cost could still be pretty steep.

Would an 8" doll be too small for DS? The Joy'w Waldorf Dolls site says it's suitable for 2 year-olds, but I have no idea what's age appropriate for pretend doll play, since I was never really into dolls as a child!

And for moms who bought doll kits and hand-sewed their dolls: would you recommend a kit for a carpal tunnel syndrome afflicted, sewing challenged mama?

Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

[annasmom]

I know these are not the same as a custom made Waldorf doll, but I thought I would offer these as suggestions in case you hadn't run across them yourself.

From Magic Cabin (make sure you click on the photo link):

http://www.magiccabin.com/magiccabin/product.do?section_id=2&bc=1004&pgc=43&sv=8500&cmvalue=MCD

and,

From Furnis:

http://www.oompa.com/cgi-bin/category.cgi?&category=search&query=%5Ebrand%2Esql&q-1=Furnis&pageTitle=&start=16

HTH!

[punrocker]

Thanks for the links! I did look at both the Magic Cabin (Asian boy and kit) and Furnis dolls during my quest. The 12" Magic Cabin Asian boy is adorable, but always seems to be out of stock (plus he's $80, ouch), but after looking at the Furnis dolls (and prices) again, I am reconsidering them, especially Newton! I'll have to e-mail Milanie about the eye color--they look brown on Titus and Newton, but I know that's no guarantee. Although, for the price, I could probably live with non-brown eyes. ;) Thanks again.

[punrocker]

I came across a Corolle FAQ while checking out the Asian dolls again at liveandlearn.com:

What size Corolle doll should I buy my child?
At Corolle, the child's size is taken into consideration when the doll is designed. The size of the doll should depend on the size of the child. The best size for a doll corresponds to the length of the forearm and the extended hand of the child, who, when she cradles the baby in her arms, imitates her mother. A 12 inch doll will fit into the arms of a two to three year old. A 14 or 15 inch doll is for a child of three to five years of age. Larger dolls are for children of seven and older, and of course, collectors. (http://www.liveandlearn.com/corolle/corolle.dolls.faq.html#size)

So it looks like a 12" doll would be ideal for DS, who is 29 mos. old.

[annasmom]

My dc are bi-racial also, so I am always looking at the Waldorf custom sites. I am not ready yet however to take the plunge as neither of my dc have shown much interest in dolls yet, and they are SO expensive. At this point the doll would be more for me than for them!!

Anyway, I did buy the Furnis Dora doll for my dd for Christmas. It has blue eyes, which I don't think I noticed when I ordered it (I would have preferred brown). I would definitely email Milanie and ask about the eyes! It is a great doll, and my dd has "allowed" her to sit at the table with her stuffed animals for tea. Good luck, and keep me posted on what you find.

[punrocker]

Hi annasmom,

I found another site that showed Newton's eyes were blue, so I e-mailed Oompa about Titus' eyes. Also came across some clothing and accessories for the Furnis dolls, in case you're interested!

Challenge and Fun - Furnis dolls & accessories (esp. clothing)
http://www.shopatron.com/index/217.0.9677.9679.9825.0.0

Koukla Online - Furnis dolls & accessories (near the end of the page, after all the Kathe Kruse dolls)
http://kouklaonline.com/waldorfdolls.htm

Do you think your DD's Furnis doll is huggable/cuddly? The Furnis dolls look more slender than the custom Waldorf dolls, especially the limbs. DS seems to prefer his roly poly stuffed toys, like his current favorite, a plush panda.

I also came across some articles at Waldorf Homeschoolers, which are making me lean towards a Waldorf doll again (probably a doll kit). I know that in a few years, DS will be more aware of his biracial background, and how he might be different from other chilldren. I thought it might help him to have a doll that resembled him, that he could love and nurture, and would help him develop a positive sense of self.

"Why Choose Waldorf Dolls"
http://www.waldorfhomeschoolers.com/waldorfdolls.htm

[annasmom]

Hi, thanks for the links! The Furnis doll is soft, but definitely not plush or cuddly. It is slender also, so there really isn't much to hug, iykwim. My dd prefers smaller rag-type dolls (when she even plays with dolls), so I thought the Furnis doll would be good for her. Honestly, I don't think it's the right doll for you ds. Maybe now that Joy is making custom dolls again, there may be a chance of a coop in the near future. We can always dream!!

[american_mama]

Does your son give you any indication of what he might like? How does he respond when he sees dolls in the stores or on your computer screen? I ask because I have gone back and forth between a realstic, mass produced doll and the Baby Bottoms dolls, but today at Toys R Us realized that my daughter (only 15 months and also biracial) likes the more babyish, realistic dolls. I don't think the Baby Bottoms doll says "baby" to her.

Another option would be to find a doll with the physical appearance you like and then find someone to custom-make clothes that would reflect your son's Filipino heritage.

If you have any questions about the Baby Bottoms dolls, two regular readers in the Baby Butts forums have them and would probably see and respond to your request for info. Also, I had a hard time finding photos of all the options, but you can see them here:
http://estore.websitepros.com/DollsLikeMe/Categories.bok?category=Dolls%3AAsian

http://www.asiaforkids.com/catalog/Detail.tpl?command=search&db=AFKstore.db&eqSKUdata=DL582W&cart=11411665563429115

Here's an Asian boy doll in a white karate outfit, but that may be more of the Chinese/Japanese style that you don't like.
http://www.storesonline.com/site/480019/product/DL131

Finally, here are two other sets of dolls that have a spectrum of skin colors and ethnicities:

http://www.lakeshorelearning.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Merchant_Id=1&Catalog_Id=1&Product_Id=35163&RememberCatalogId=1&Status_Code=ACTV&uniq=2006yr%3A2mth%3A28day%3A17hr%3A19min%3A50s%3A 688ms%3A+

http://www.lakeshorelearning.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Merchant_Id=1&Catalog_Id=1&Product_Id=49367&RememberCatalogId=1&Status_Code=ACTV&uniq=2006yr%3A2mth%3A28day%3A17hr%3A21min%3A17s%3A 532ms%3A+

[punrocker]

Thanks for the links and suggestions! DS doesn't have any baby dolls yet, but he always tries to climb on my lap when I'm looking at Waldorf doll websites. He seems to love soft or fuzzy fabrics (I think he has a texture fetish, LOL). I'm trying to avoid vinyl or plasticky dolls, so he really hasn't been exposed to those. :)

I had the 13" Baby Bottoms doll on my short list, before the temptation of a Waldorf doll drew me in again, LOL. I like the fact that they were created by an Asian mom and that the company was originally a WAHM business (http://www.fannysplayhouseinc.com/). I'm actually back to considering a Baby Bottoms doll, but the 14" version with the potty:

http://www.tendertreasures.com/catalog/images/prodfull/FAN_POTTYDOLLS/ASIAN_BOY_POTTY.jpg

I don't know anything about this site, but it was the only one with pictures of all the Baby Bottoms dolls with the potty:
http://www.tendertreasures.com/catalog/childrens_gifts_accessories_and_toys/baby_bottom_dolls_with_potty.html

I like that it's (1) acceptably generic Asian; (2) soft and cuddly; (3) machine washable; (4) affordable; (5) anatomically correct; (5) and has spiky hair like DS!

I'd dog-eared those soft Lakeshore Learning dolls in the catalog, but they seemed a bit big for DS at 18". He has an 18" Mickey Mouse doll that a well-meaning relative gave him for Christmas, but he just drags it around the apt. by the ears, like a little caveman. They're really cute, though, so maybe when he's older, they'd work. :)

Thanks again!

[punrocker]

In case anyone else is wondering about how to choose a doll size....

"Choose the Perfect Doll for Every Age"
http://www.thesouthern.com/sp_sections/story.php?pub_number=084&s=6

"Choose the right doll for your child"
http://www.lodinews.com/hgg2004/100_doll.php