“Home didn’t feel calm or safe, and as a result, I developed anxiety and low self-worth from a young age,” Stella says.
“As I got older, those feelings were only amplified by the pressure to fit in and meet unrealistic social standards like being thin, pretty, or ‘good enough’. Without a strong sense of self, I often found myself shrinking, playing small, and second-guessing everything I wanted.”
Sadly, stories like Stella’s aren’t rare. In Australia, one in seven kids are living with mental illness, and children as young as 18 months are showing signs of emotional distress. Half of all adult mental health issues begin before the age of 14 — yet two-thirds of parents don’t know where to turn for help.
“Over the past 10 years, we’ve seen a dramatic increase in mental health challenges among children. When children don’t have the right emotional tools early on, they’re more vulnerable to experiencing low self-worth, anxiety and depression,” Stella says.
“This can lead to bullying (whether that’s being the bully or being bullied), suicidal thoughts, self-harm, and entering toxic or abusive relationships, just to name a few.”
That’s exactly why Stella decided to take action — by launching Diary Dolls, Australia’s first doll range created specifically to nurture self-esteem and emotional wellbeing in kids.
The dolls are more than just cuddly toys. Each Diary Doll comes with a backpack containing a journal, a story about the character, and a resilience skill — like affirmations, gratitude or journaling. The idea is to help children learn emotional tools through story, routine and imagination.
“What sets Diary Dolls apart is how they combine play with personal growth. Kids learn through stories, routines, and imagination, so by pairing a cuddly toy with positive mindset tools, it becomes a fun and effective way to support their development.”
Since launching in September 2024, the range includes two characters — Affirmation Alice and Journal Jasmine — with three more on the way.
The process of bringing the dolls to life was anything but simple. Stella designed the dolls herself, along with the stories that bring each character to life.
“The stories were important because I didn’t want the dolls to just tell kids what to do. I wanted them to model it through relatable, age-appropriate storytelling,” Stella says.
“Each doll learns their own resilience skill in the story, which makes the practice feel achievable and real for the child.”
Even though breaking into the toy market is no small feat, Stella’s mission keeps her going: helping kids feel confident, capable and emotionally strong.
“I want to help raise a generation of kids who truly love themselves, who trust their voice, and who have the self-belief to go after what they want in life without self-doubt holding them back.”
Check out the Diary Dolls range at diarydolls.com
Follow KIDDO on Instagram and Facebook, and subscribe to our weekly newsletter
