Meghan Trainor Creates Look-Alike “Mama” Doll to Help Son Riley Cope With Separation Anxiety

LOS ANGELES — Meghan Trainor has found a sweet and creative way to comfort her 5-year-old son, Riley, who has been experiencing separation anxiety.

The Grammy-winning singer recently revealed that she had a custom stuffed doll made to look like her after noticing that Riley had begun using his other stuffed animals as stand-ins for his mother whenever she was away.

Trainor shared the story in a video, explaining that Riley would hold up toys such as his Smurfette doll and tell her, “This is Mama.” That gave Trainor the idea to create a personalized stuffed toy modeled after herself.

Riley Loves His “Mama” Doll

The custom doll has several of Trainor’s recognizable features, including short blonde hair and glasses.

According to Trainor, Riley immediately took to the unusual gift.

She said he hugs and kisses the doll and keeps it close when he misses her.

In the video, Riley eventually appeared while his mother was showing off the doll. Trainor asked whether he thought it looked like her, and the young boy appeared happy with the resemblance.

The mother-son moment quickly attracted attention from Trainor’s fans, many of whom praised the singer for finding such a personal way to help her child cope with being apart from her.

Trainor Has Been Prioritizing Family

The singer has spoken openly about the challenges of balancing her career with motherhood.

Trainor and her husband, actor Daryl Sabara, have three children: Riley, Barry and their youngest daughter, Mikey.

Earlier this year, Trainor canceled her planned “Get in Girl” tour, explaining that balancing a new album, a nationwide tour and welcoming another baby had become too much for her family.

She said that staying home and being present for her children was the right decision, despite the disappointment of canceling the concerts.

A Simple Source of Comfort

For young children, separation from a parent can be particularly difficult, especially when a parent regularly travels for work.

Trainor’s solution is decidedly personal: rather than simply giving Riley another stuffed animal, she created something that represents the person he misses most.

The doll cannot replace his mother, but it gives Riley something tangible to hold onto when she isn’t there.

For Trainor, the response from her son appears to have made the effort worthwhile.

“He loves it,” she said, describing how Riley hugs and kisses his miniature version of his mom.

The heartwarming gesture has given fans another glimpse into Trainor’s life away from the stage — and into the small, creative ways a mother is helping her young son feel connected to her even when they’re apart.