Is this really normal

M0nica the thing about these 'babies' is that they do not become 7 year olds who know everything nor do they become obstreperous teenagers.
They stay sweet and compliant.

Strange. These women, unless they have problems, have just not grown up.

She is very sweet, Gonegirl - and the knitted dress is the same pattern! (different colour though)

If I peeked into a pram and saw that, MissA, I would beat a hasty retreat down the road!

Gonegirl when I went to put Tiny Tears and her sisters to bed I found them stuffed inside a wicker hamper. That DGD again! They were most upset so I have got them out, arranged them nicely and tucked them up in a blankie.
No doubt DGD will come again and shove them away and play with the cars.

All I can see is why pay hundreds of pounds for a plastic doll and it’s accessories while kids starve to death, adopt the care of third world child (a fraction of the price) volunteer at a children’s hospital send your money to help a kid in Syria, read with kids in schools do something useful instead of pandering to the showing off of a pretend baby
These ladies in my original post were not grieving bereaved mothers, they wanted attention of their prizes

I wasn't harsh, I just said how I felt when I read the OP. I genuinely felt as if I wanted to throw up

Why unsurprised in the US and not USA? because the Americans always seem inclined to stretch to weirdness way beyond anything we are used to in the UK.

Of course they are Stepford children, Stepford wives disappeared to be replaced by robot women so sophisticated they appeared real, but without any of the irritating faults in real women: having opinons not wanting to be robots and slaves.

It is the same with these babies, I bet they do not produce foul and filthy nappies in the night so that everyone as to get up and have a bath, they do not cry and wake up every half hour or do little bloops of reflux on the carpet, or your favourite dress when you pick them up or lie them on the floor, or if they do it will be carefully controlled; non smelling and non-staining.

I am sorry if upsets some people, but I find this whole concept, especially after seeing, no, just taking a brief glance at one of these ....... has instantly engendered me feelings of utter nasia and revulsion.

I consider my feelings of utter revulsion as worthy of respect as the feelings of those who like them.

*wait to give their opinion - but I guess they also want to.

Perhaps M0nica has not read the full thread sodapop - that tends to happen a lot on gransnet.

People just can't want to give their opinion without even considering anyone else's feelings.

Bit harsh MOnica and why would you consider it laughable in US and bizarre in UK.

The thought of this makes feel physically nauseous. These women must surely be mentally ill or have regressed back to some childhood state, a toy baby that, when push comes to shove, she can just leave at home while she is out.

If I heard this was some freak craze in the US, I want to say I would laugh, but I do not think I would - it is a sort of extension of Stepford Wives - Stepford children.

The facial bloating common on reborn sculpts always reminds of the Baby Dawn ceiling scene in Trainspotting

Margs, look at the link in my post above.

They're works of art, really.

OMG The prices of those dolls!!!!!

Bluebell - are they like those weirdy Cabbage Patch Dolls that people went nuts about a couple of decades back?

I believe they were often treated like actual real kiddies. Truth is stranger than fiction alright!

ReadyMeals & merlotgran, I think the term 'reborn' was actually coined from the process of taking just a doll and making it much more realistic. I'd say only a tiny percentage of reborn enthusiasts have suffered the loss of a baby. Unfortunately the TV broadcast from where many seem to have formed their views gave a very narrow and biased perspective and was sensationalist to say the least. Finally, I just had to add this www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_sacat=0&_nkw=reborn+baby&_sop=3
Please take a look, it is simply stunning

That's lovely about your mum's kitted dolls clothes Jalima.

My doll no longer has her original clothes (handmade by my mum) but I got her some new clothes from a fete. In fact, she barely retains her head. It practically balances. But she's not bad for a 67 year old.

I've read of these life-like baby dolls. It's sad really. Why don't they adopt if they are that desperate for babies ? This is the easy way out I suppose. I'd freak out if I encountered one of these "mummies" and their "babies"

My use of the word sad was the traditional one, but I do think it's strange.

Like most things that adults do with their time and money, it doesn't actually matter what I or others think, but that doesn't mean we aren't allowed.

The only way to achieve closure is to let the deceased person go! They should be encouraged to do that and donate their money to charities which really help living children.

Just off to check on Tiny Tears and her sisters before I go out.
The worrying thing is that one of them must be about 44 now, looks just the same and is still wearing the clothes my Mum knitted for her!

rizlett, sorry, but I would still use the word 'sad' in the sense of being unhappy and that this must be fulfilling a need for those who may have suffered a loss or never had the child they longed for.

Thanks, ReadyMeals. I still find the concept rather disturbing.

Merlotgran I think it's may be because the idea started to help people who had lost a baby or wanted to remember their children as they were.

I see no problem with sad - it IS sad that these people have thwarted maternal/caring instincts. And that the only outlet for these is via a doll. It shows what a fragmented society we are. Once upon a time these people would have been valued aunties in their communities, sharing in the care of the children.

There is a pejorative use of the word sad nowadays - I mean it in its original meaning.

@conker - very retro -what a beautiful pram. Thank you for sharing.

@bradfordlass - one of the most difficult things in life is altering your view/opinion - how amazing you are not only to think it all through but to tell everyone about it too.

@mamacaz - exactly right - expressing opinions and views are helpful and sometimes provides a greater understanding.

Of course humans are judgemental - but do we have to use just harsh and disrespectful language in our judgement??

Let me just remind you of some of the negatively critical and down right rude comments that have been flung via this thread at ladies and men who are merely minding their own business and doing no harm whatsoever....

Nutty
Weird
Sad
Unhealthy
Daft
Strange
Disturbing
Bizarre
Abnormal
Creepy
Pointless
A mental illness

Perhaps I might suggest an alternative list.

Loving
Nurturing
Kind
Interesting
Supportive
Healthy
Expressive
Brave
True
Admirable
Content
Fun

Jalima1108 - hope your well loved 'babies' had a good nights sleep.

Let's all play dolls today! Playing is one of the best things in life. It's what we are born for - and we are still allowed to play no matter what age we are.