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Original poster

Please can you help my DD?

278 replies

Teddydilemma · 03/10/2018 19:39

I have name changed because I might show DD this thread.

DD is 10. Since she was a baby she has had a much loved teddy. Currently she sleeps with it and will cuddle it if she is upset. It stays in her bedroom.

Recently she has become convinced that she should not have teddy any more. She thinks others would say it is babyish to still have a teddy.

What do you think? Is it OK for a 10 year old to have a teddy at night? What age should she give it up?

OP posts:
steppemum · 03/10/2018 19:49

well,
ds is 15. He doesn't sleep with his, but it is firmly in his room. It didn't move out when we redecorated to make it more grown up last year
dd1 is 13, she still sleeps with hers, and takes it away on scout camp. She recent bought a huge rainbow coloured cuddly alpaca Hmm

dd2 is nearly 11 and sleeps with.... mmm let me see

there is the one she can't sleep without on her pillow
then there are the 4 next to her pillow,
then the 25 at the foot of the bed
and the extra ones under the duvet that I'm not supposed to know about because we were trying to make some room.

My teddy still sits in my bedroom. I am 50 (but I don't sleep with him!)

Katedotness1963 · 03/10/2018 19:49

My 17 year old son still sleeps with his favourite cuddly dog.

mangowango · 03/10/2018 19:50

I had my comfort blanket till I was 33. I only got rid as my toddler spilt milk on it and it stank. It was tough.

Why not take it away and put it somewhere safe for a bit, you might find she changes her mind and asks for it back.

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RayM · 03/10/2018 19:51

Awww. I’m 30 and still have my teddy!

TheHobbitMum · 03/10/2018 19:51

I've still got my Teddy at 37 and each of my 4 kids have theirs too (10 to 17) Keep the bear Grin

minisoksmakehardwork · 03/10/2018 19:51

My 10 year old has a much treasured bear. Bedtime bear is so treasured she took an alternative cuddly on cub camp and will be doing the same for her school residential to ensure bedtime bear stays safe.

Others might think it's childish, and I suspect her classmates might be the reason for the recent change - growing older, secondary school coming up etc. But unless the children are particularly callous, I'm sure most if not all still have their own special comforter.

Bedtime bear gets put on a shelf when friends come over, safe and ever present but not having attention drawn to him.

In short, your dd will feel more upset if she completely gets rid of her comforter and especially if she needs it and hasn't got it. But talk to her about other places she might like to put it to keep it safe if she's worried about friends teasing when they come round.

FlibbertyGiblets · 03/10/2018 19:52

Middle child was waved off to uni with teddy - I must admit to scouring ebay for an identical one before I gave my head a wobble. Blush

sparkli · 03/10/2018 19:53

My 19yo DD, who is in 2nd year at uni, still sleeps with her teddy - unless her BF is in the bed with her, apparently!

blueskiesandforests · 03/10/2018 19:53

My 11 year old son still has a teddy. Admittedly it no longer leaves his bedroom except for holidays, when it is packed and remains in his rucksack or in his bed. He did take it on his last year of primary school trip and anticipated having to defend himself but nobody commented. He's a big for his age sporty boy ...

My 13 year old has a cushion with an embroidered face which she sewed herself and treats a lot like a teddy, though it's nominally a cushion...

PrincessConsuelaBannanaHammock · 03/10/2018 19:53

I'm 27 and still sleep with my teddy Bear
I never used to take it to sleepovers or anything by the time I was about 10 but that was more through fear of losing it than anything else. I think as long as it makes her happy/ feel secure then there is no need for her to stop having a teddy

fourquenelles · 03/10/2018 19:53

I have a special shelf in my bedroom where Flakey and Growler sit. They are 63 and 62 year old respectively. You are never too old for a teddy.

Faster · 03/10/2018 19:54

I’m 33 and I have two teddies. One is a giant gorilla, she is called Sophia. The other is a small teddy which is called Ginger. Ginger sits on my bedside table and Sophia has pride of place on top of my wardrobe, she’s surveying her kingdom.

Wheresthel1ght · 03/10/2018 19:55

I still have my favourite Teddy, it is currently in a box in my wardrobe but when I am having a bad bout of depression I cam often be found snuggles with him. I am 38.

I tuna guide pack, we often take the girls away and they range to 16 and all have teddies... One of our leaders has just turned 70 and has one that she always cuddles we smother her with it when she snores

Dsd is 13 and has about 50 around her bed here and about 200 at her mums!

MrsJMartintheFirst · 03/10/2018 19:55

Another proud teddy owner and cuddler here and I'm 21 47 😃🐻

PipLongStockings · 03/10/2018 19:56

My DS (11) had a sleepover and his friends came with teddies. I also have still mine as a middle aged mum!

TickleMyPickle · 03/10/2018 19:56

My son is the coolest 12 year old I know, and he still sleeps with his blankie that he’s had since a baby. It’s a tiny scrap of material now but it means so much to him, I would never dream of taking it away from him.

RandomMess · 03/10/2018 19:56

2 of my daughters sleep with their teddies every night they are 14 & 15. Come on holiday with us still too Smile

Notquiterichenough · 03/10/2018 19:57

My11 year old loves his teddy. First day at secondary school, he came home, took his blazer off and fetched his teddy before telling me about his day.

My strapping, 6 foot tall, rugby playing, 14 year old DS1 still sleeps with his too.

Keep the teddy!

barleyreed · 03/10/2018 19:57

When I met DH at university, he still had his beloved cuddly Panda, head and body had got separated and he always slept holding the head, he gave me the body, then I knew it was true love! Definitely keep your bear :)

weddingplanner123 · 03/10/2018 19:57

I still have a teddy and I'm 27 Grin

BeautifulPossibilities · 03/10/2018 19:57

I've got mine, I'm in my thirties. My daughter now plays with it and when she takes it out of the house I get a bit anxious she will lose it Grin

Justmuddlingalong · 03/10/2018 19:57

I'm 48. My teddy is my avatar on WhatsApp etc. He comes on holiday with me. Your DD should give up her teddy if she wants to, not when she thinks she should. Teddies rock! 🐻

ZolaGreySheperd · 03/10/2018 19:59

Mine sits on top of my wardrobe now, unless DH is away Smile I will love that teddy forever

AngelSlides · 03/10/2018 20:01

My genuinely VERY cool ds still sleeps with his pillow pet (aged 23)

CherryBlossom23 · 03/10/2018 20:01

I don't have a teddy but I still have my blankie at 28. I was never into sleeping with teddies but blankie was my prized possession!