Kelly White says she is a mom of nine who lives a busy life with her children, but White’s not raising children she birthed. Instead, she adopted reborn dolls. Today, she documents her life on social media and often shares images and videos of her out and about with her dolls, all of whom she has named and treats like real children. Her unconventional “parenting” has gotten a lot of attention, and people love to give their thoughts on her life.
According to the New York Post, White told Southwest News Service that a YouTube video about realistic dolls piqued her interest. What started as a prop for her interest in cosplay turned into a new obsession.
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White found herself feeling close to her first doll.
She told SWNS she purchased her first doll, Jennifer, as a prop last year, but she began feeling “attached to her.” After getting her first doll, she felt the need to adopt more. Her collection now boasts eight dolls, which cost her about $2,000. White, 28, always wanted to be a mom, and her dolls fill a spot in her heart.
White quickly made a home for her reborn dolls.
She told SWNS that Jennifer, her first toddler doll, has a bed in her room, and she makes milk for her and her other reborn dolls from water and flour, though she did say she used to breastfeed the younger dolls. She also purchases clothes for the dolls, including Halloween costumes. Recently, White shared a video of her dolls Jennifer and Ashley dressed as Princess Daisy and Princess Peach for Halloween.
White follows a strict regimen with her dolls.
She treats the dolls like children, the reborn mom told SWNS. “I have a routine — I make them breakfast and get them all dressed,” she said. She added they’ve watched a Disney movie marathon together, and she takes them with her everywhere she goes. White explained, “By 7 p.m. I get them all ready for bed and I play some songs on an ocarina.”
White has more than 26,000 followers on TikTok.
The content she posts on her page, @rebornmomof9, isn’t for everyone, but there are others who share her love for reborn dolls. One fan commented on a recent day-in-the-life video, “Awe, they are having the best time! I wanna come and play.” This person agreed, “For people that can’t have children this is a good option if they can’t afford to adopt or also foster care. It’s better than them stealing babies.”
Often, people criticize White’s reborn obsession, like this person who wrote, “My heart goes out to you.”
Someone else thinks White should help real children, writing, “Adoption is a beautiful thing and she could be doing it for real children that need it.” The reborn mother answered, “I really want to, but I’m not ready financially.”
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She hopes to adopt real children someday.
White told SWNS that the negative comments don’t bother her. “I get some comments such as ‘women playing with reborn dolls is weird,’” she said, admitting, “I’m not surprised some people don’t get it.”
She added that when she got Jennifer, she thought about keeping her a secret but decided to make her a part of her everyday life. She spends thousands of dollars on her dolls, but told the news service it is worth it. White hopes to adopt real children someday but is happy to raise her reborn dolls for now. “Taking care of them is comforting,” she said.
