What are worry dolls?
Guatemalan worry dolls date back to Mayan traditions and are similar to many amulets around the world, in that they are thought to soothe your fears and anxieties. Unlike most amulets, worry dolls were often made specifically for children, and in Guatemala they may still be used for this purpose. These little wooden dolls, an inch (2.54 cm) or less in length, usually come in a box or bag in sets of six. Worry dolls are dressed in remnants or scraps of clothing, and made of small splinters of wood for the doll body. They are inexpensively ordered on the Internet, or you and your children can make your own. They may serve an anxious child very well. In fact, some hospitals use them for children who have major illnesses, much in the same manner that dream catchers are used to chase away bad dreams.
