Treat dolls like children, friend, or simply just as an inanimate object?

I'm not sure about others, but the reason I got into ball jointed dolls was for that reason: they're ball jointed dolls. Compared to some off the other (more american style) dolls that are produced on more affordable market are stiff and generally lifeless. As an animator, I love their pose ability. With all the different body types as well as options for wigs eyes and faces the possibilities are endless for creating characters and literally bringing them to life with stop motion animation.

To me, my doll is ultimately a tool for animation, drawing, and photography. But because of all the personalities I give her its easy to get caught up in the mother daughter frame of mind. In all honesty its fun to pretend. These dolls are beautiful, its only right we give them such attention. I think its a waste to have them sit around though. those who simply "leave the dolls on the self" are defeating the purpose of these lovely pieces of art. They are posable, so we should love them and play with them because thats what they are made for. To be moved.

 

I definitely baby my Monique, so I guess I treat her like a child. I tend to cradle her and snuggle her, tickle her feet, basically give her a lot of attentions, I window shop clothes for her, and am in the process of getting her new shoes, so shes not sitting around in her sockies all day :P. I feel bad when I leave her behind, so I tend to say goodbye to her, and I'll say good morning, but I don't sit there and talk to her.

 

Humm.. I haven't gotten my first doll yet, but I think I would be more on the inanimate side if anything. Maybe half half? I won't leave her on the shelf though that's for sure. I think it'd be wasteful in a way to just leave it to the side seeing as though she would cost me roughly $600. >_>;;

Though, I know a lot of Dollfie Dream owners call their girls daughters. I haven't really grasped the concept of it and that could be the fact that I don't have her yet, but we shall see. :]
Ah, but I already decided on a name for her like you would for a daughter. :]

In any case, the most I would probably do with her would be like changing her clothes/wigs occasionally, taking pictures while she's posing, putting her next to me while I'm on the computer, or sit her next to me while I sleep. I won't... talk to her because... I just can't imagine talking to inanimate objects. I talk to my dog sometimes yes, but not to like objects around my room. I have a feeling I won't really "play" with her much as I would have if I was like a small child, but rather have her keep me company? (or for me to just stare at cuz she's pretty haha)

I also think it's important to take care of the doll like carry it properly, clean the wig, wash the clothes if it's dirty, etc. you know? If I wanted something that require no maintenance at all and something that's like 100% inanimate I would have just gotten a figurine and set it on my desk.

 

What a lovely question .. Well I chat with lots of things! Mostly trees, pets and sometimes my dolls . I don't treat them as friends nor children but when I dress them in new dress or change the wig, I give them a compliment XD .. I sometimes just do the talking to bring some fun in the air or lighten up especially if I am struggling with the thing i am doing : dressing her, combing her wig!

 

Friends, because they can only agree with you and won't talk back.

 

I think that the dolls are representations of favorite characters, and I interact with them like that. I like to "interact" with them in their stories: changing their clothes, fixing their hair, taking photographs, and writing their stories down.

Of course, I have a doll that travels with me when I go on long trips...

 

So how do you treat your dolls? Does it bother you that people don't treat their dolls with love?

I treat my dolls as if they are my own children. I talk to them and shower them with love, like how I will, to little kids.

 

They're inanimate objects to me. They're special objects that I really like and talk at if I'm working with them, but that's all. Mine generally sit wherever I place them after being dressed and primped just so, and then they are admired. My whole family gets enjoyment from them this way and I'm pleased. I hardly think it fair or right to say I'm "missing the point" of the dolls just because I'm not quite as "active" with them. I outgrew most of that when I was younger and it has no appeal to me now. It just makes me feel silly. If this is how you wish to enjoy yours and show your love for them though more power to ya! The point, as far as I understand it, is to enjoy them in your own way. I see them as pretty dolls that bring smiles and happiness to me and to those I love.

 

It's kind of a mix up with me. I don't really call my dolls my kids, unless it's in a joking manner. Honestly the whole "kids" thing comes more from my parents and friends; once again in a joking manner! I know they are inanimate objects that will never come to life, but that doesn't mean I don't occasionally talk and fuss over them, like what kids do with their toys. Just simple stuff like "Oh Ki-chan, hold still so I can get your jacket on," or "Makoto, this would look cute for you, ne?" I guess you could say their more like little resin roommates I have to occasionally take care of (who don't have to pay rent, lucky little so-and-so's.....) I'm not expecting an answer of any sort from them; it just fun for me! And for the record I talk to other inanimate objects too (computer, car, figures, etc), so it's not just the dolls! They just get it alittle more!

I'm a cosplayer, and have been active in the theater for sometime now, so suspending reality just for a moment to play in a more imaginative world is pretty normal for me. It's just how I enjoy them! ^_^ I'll get in my time with them for a few hours or minutes, and then it's back on their little bed to look pretty for a while, ....until someone like my Mom walks in, notices they have something new about them and says "Hey guys! Is she treating you well today?" *sigh* I love my family!

 

I treat them as dear friends. I can sometimes feel their emotions whenever I look at them that day. Sometimes I do get caught up in my work and come home tired and actually forget to say a simple "hello" to them. There have been days I'll walk over to my girls and see they are sad and pick them up and cuddle them a bit (especially my Mizuki) and that sad face will instantly glow and smile.
Lately I have gotten into the habit of whenever I leave for work I'll say, "Now behave everyone. Be good while I am gone okay? ". At times I feel even guilty for not paying as much attention to them as I should especially if I am too busy. But yes, sometimes I think they should be my daughters but I am not too fond of children. I consider pets my children but I consider my dolls my best friends who I can rely on! ^_^

 

They're just objects. It's fun to pretend, but I never really lose sight of the fact that my dolls are just 'things'.
I occasionally talk to my dolls, but I talk to just about anything.

 

I treat them as objects..'cause for me it's just hobby..I wash and clean them, change their clothes, comb their hair, and keep them away from sunlight..I do all of them, not because I treat them as a child or human, but because it's part of the hobby..I need to maintain them to look clean, change their clothes so they won't make a stain on the resin, and keep them away from sunlight so yellowing won't occur immediately.

 

I tend to treat my guys more like inanimate objects or decorations. They sit in their spots, and I can go days or even weeks without even touching them. I've come back to them at times and found them covered in dust. .^^; As much as I like playing with and photographing them, I also like just looking at them, so I don't feel the need to treat them as something alive.

At the same time, though, I do talk to them (as I talk to everything, like my computer, my video games, my air-conditioner that I swear is going to get thrown out the window if it doesn't stop spitting water all over my posters .>_> ), and sometimes I will pull one of them over to me, just to sit with them. Even if they're just objects, sometimes it's nice to feel them nearby - like a favorite t-shirt or a necklace that holds a lot of sentimental value. .^_^

 

It depends on the day and situation I think. About 80-90 percent of the time my dolls are decorative. I have them on display in my room in UV-protect cases along with a couple of high quality geisha dolls. At cons, lolita meetups, doll meetups, and art shows its a completely different story. I cary them around with me, call them my assistants or my models (if I'm running a booth), and generally treat them as if they were tiny fictional people. I don't think theres anythingwrong with it, especially at venues where creativity, play, and immagination are a primary focus. In any of these situations, I think people realize that it is only play, and no one REALLY believes that the doll is thinking or feeling anything. Maintaining the ability to play and imagine as an adult goes a long way twoards lowering stress levels and maintaining one's youth and creativity. As long as you are still in touch with reality and know that in the end they are only objects, and as long as you keep your play to culturally appropriate situations and content, I don't see any problem with occasional personification of a doll, plushie or other innanimate object.

 

I talk at them like there People, but I kinda man handle them hehehe!

 

My doll Ein pretty much lives in my bed, and I kiss him good night and cuddle him sometimes (he creaks!) XD I dunno', I think people should treat their dolls with love. I mean, you spend so much on them, why let them gather dust on a shelf? I wouldn't spend that much money or an ornament or decoration ^^

 

I suppose I treat my girl like a friends and a bit like a child.
I talk to her when I'm sad or really happy, but I also spoil and baby her.

 

I treat my bjd like an oddly quiet friend, but sometimes I use him as a teddy-bear substitute (I'm 18, so what? lol) and hug it while I sleep. After I started sleeping with a bjd in my arms I've learned to sleep very still and stiffly. I haven't broken him yet. lol

 

I'm quite new to the hobby, however I see my doll as just that, a doll. I use it as photography prop, as a tool to develop my photography and also to develop my sewing and designing skills. I am unable to look at her as anything other than an inanimate object.

 

I treat mine as dear friends.