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Original poster

To worry my DD8 might be too attached to her cuddly toys??

135 replies

RedFish1 · 20/03/2025 22:19

DD is going on a school trip soon. She has two cuddly toys she has slept with since she was 6 months old and we have made a decision a few months ago, that it might be best for those cuddly toys to stay at home. DD has been practicing sleeping with other cuddly toys but tonight she got embarrassed and after some convincing, told me that she worries about making her cuddly toys feel sad and she feels bad to leave her favourite ones on the floor. I think the reason she was embarrassed is because obviously she knows they don’t have real feelings. She is a really sensitive and caring little girl. She never wants to make anyone sad, so I suppose this explains why she’s feeling guilty to not have them with her at night.

We have made an agreement that I will take care of them at night whilst she practices going to sleep with other cuddly toys. That way, she doesn’t have to see them so hopefully won’t feel so guilty.

Im just a little worried that this is too strong an attachment. This is new to me as my eldest didn’t have a cuddly toy she depended on and I’d really appreciate some advice. Thanks.

OP posts:
PollyannaGladGame · 20/03/2025 22:29

DD is almost 18 and a partying, working, sixth former - she still sleeps with her ted and still goes everywhere with us, he is a very well travelled bear!

She went on her first girls weekend away this year and he went, he’ll be going to uni with her in September. I really wouldn’t worry and try and wean her off, it’s very normal.

TimeForTeaAndG · 20/03/2025 22:27

My 12yo DD still has her favourite teddy at night. She never takes it to other places, but her and plenty of her classmates had cuddly toys with them on their Primary School residential trip last year. Leave her to grow up at her own pace. Too soon she will be rolling her eyes at you and tutting at you for daring to just be in the same breathing space 😆

Poppyseeds79 · 20/03/2025 22:27

I'm not sure I understand the point? If it's to wean her off wanting/needing to take them on the trip? Then I don't see how alternative teddies will help? I'd just go with talking about how it'll only be the time on the trip they won't be with her, and it'll be a different bed to home, other kids there anyway.

Annascaul · 20/03/2025 22:27

She’ll be fine to take them on the school trip, if that’s what you’re worried about.
Our school always included favourite bears on the “essentials” packing list, to cover for those that really needed them.

Haribosweets · 20/03/2025 22:25

My son is 15 and can't sleep without a cuddly toy he got at age 7. He is autistic though. Just let her, she is so young and wants comfort x

lifeturnsonadime · 20/03/2025 22:24

Leave her be, she'll grow up soon enough.

If she needs her cuddlies then let her have them.

MidnightPatrol · 20/03/2025 22:23

Why won’t you just let her have the ones she likes?

All sounds very harmless.

HamPieQueen · 20/03/2025 22:23

8 is still really young! I don’t think this is a problem. My girls are 12 and 15 and still sleep with a cuddly. (Awaiting being launched at for “babying” my children)

If it makes her feel secure, what’s wrong with that? They’re grown up for such a long time. Let her be a child.

HTruffle · 20/03/2025 22:22

I personally would just let her have the special ones, it sounds pretty normal to me. Why take away something she adores and makes her feel comfortable and happy?

SoftPillow · 20/03/2025 22:22

She’s only 8, this sounds perfectly normal to me.

My 8 year old still sometimes tells me, whispering as if it’s a secret, that she knows her favourite bear is real. I reply ‘of course, he is real to you and that’s what matters’. She sounds like a sweet and caring child.