Worry Gobblers: Helping Children Navigate Anxiety and Worries

The idea of Worry Gobblers was born during the COVID-19 pandemic, as Linda and her family embarked on a nightly ritual of writing down things they were grateful for. However, as the lockdown extended, they realized that their children were still grappling with anxieties. This led to the creation of the Worry Gobblers, quirky characters with zippered mouths that reveal a pocket inside. “Children can write or draw their worries on a piece of paper and “feed” them to the Gobbler, symbolically sharing their concerns and making those worries a bit smaller”, explains Linda.

What sets Worry Gobblers apart is their deliberate imperfection. Linda intentionally designed them to mimic a child’s drawing, with stitches that are intentionally imperfect, embracing the “wonkiness” of life. “I believe that it’s crucial to show children that life isn’t perfect, and these lovable characters embody that philosophy”, she says fondly.

Operating from her home studio in Johannesburg, Linda and a small team handcraft these unique characters. The fabrics she uses are often mismatched, and she encourages randomness, believing that it adds to their charm. Customers can choose from existing styles or personalize their Gobbler with their preferred colours. Each Gobbler comes with a poem explaining how it works, available in English, Xhosa, or Afrikaans.

Worry Gobblers have found their way into over 17 countries and have been embraced by people of all ages, from newborns to pensioners. Schools, play therapists, and psychologists have given them a resounding endorsement. One psychologist even mentioned that if her current patients had a tool like this in their childhood, they might not be her patients today.

In the classroom, Gobblers have become an invaluable resource, providing teachers with insights into their students’ worries and concerns. Schools are recognizing the importance of addressing learners’ mental health and well-being, with many integrating Worry Gobblers into their support systems.

Linda’s mission is simple yet profound: to create a safe space for children to voice their fears and concerns and, in doing so, let them know that it’s okay to feel worried or anxious sometimes. Worry Gobblers are not about making worries disappear but about making them smaller and sharing the load.

In a world where mental health awareness is more crucial than ever, Linda Jackson’s Worry Gobblers remind us that it’s okay not to be perfect, that worries are a part of life, and that sharing them can be a powerful way to ease our burdens. The colourful, quirky characters are more than just toys; they are tools for emotional well-being and connection in a world that can sometimes feel overwhelming.