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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:
Nacreous · 03/10/2018 20:42

I slept with my teddy til I was 17. For university (though they still came with me) I switched to a cylindrical pillow as I sleep on my side and otherwise I was uncomfortable.

I still have my teddies, and I have two monkeys which live in my car.

NoSquirrels · 03/10/2018 20:42

Please take your DD to see the Christopher Robin film at the cinema this weekend, OP.

I came home from that film and gave my 2 childhood cuddlies a good squish. My DC have known since they were small that those belonged to Mum and were not for them to take.

You don’t need to give them up. If they make you happy, it’s OK.

Mumsnet says so!

BoardingSchoolMater · 03/10/2018 20:42

Oh bless her. My DC1 is, um, 17, and still has items that he takes to bed (and to school). He can't sleep without them. For him, it's to do with the smell of them (stinky, horrible objects that they are, to anyone else).

Go with the flow. Some children/people have teddies/blankies/whatevers, some don't. If they divest themselves of them naturally, fine. If they don't, fine. My Dad's teddy sits on the chimney-piece in their house (said teddy also went to boarding school with him). Teddy is about 70. Grin

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GerdaLovesLili · 03/10/2018 20:42

I have a bear that helps me at work. At home he lives on the sofa and has his own LiveJournal account. I am definitely over 10.

Please can you help my DD?
pointythings · 03/10/2018 20:44

My DDs are 17 and 15. The older one sleeps with an enormous pink elephant (called Kevin). He will be going to uni with her next year. The younger one has a Tigger.

Your DD is fine.

NoTeaNoShadeNoPinkLemonade · 03/10/2018 20:44

my 17 yo sis still sleeps with her teddy. My 12 yo ds still has his near his pillow
I still have mine nearby I'm 2.

NoTeaNoShadeNoPinkLemonade · 03/10/2018 20:44

32 lol

Angelil · 03/10/2018 20:44

32 and still got mine in my bed! And a whole host of other stuffed animals too!

Mulberry72 · 03/10/2018 20:44

I’m 46 and have my teddy Ive had from birth, my Memory Teddy that’s made out of my Mums clothes, and I recently bought myself a lovely sloth teddy.

You’re NEVER too old for a teddy!

Hippychick78 · 03/10/2018 20:46

39 here who sleeps with a fluffy cow called Moosy ☺️ I don't think there's anything wrong with it but bless her wee heart ♥

Peachypips · 03/10/2018 20:47

My 10 yo has a teddy. He loves it and has even taken it on the school residential this week. As far as I can tell he is pretty cool.

I had a teddy until I got married!

Cornflakedout · 03/10/2018 20:49

I wish I still had mineSad - feeling very lonely tonight.
Teddies are fine[hugs]

Bubblysqueak · 03/10/2018 20:49

I've still got mine on my bed and I'm 32. My DH still has his on our bed and he is 41.
She will really regret it if she gets rid of it.
If she's really unsure pack it away carefully so she can get it out when she needs it.

Dollymixture22 · 03/10/2018 20:49

My ten year nephew has a teddy. His friend recently came to stay over and brought his teddy. Both very matter of fact about it. No big deal.

lastqueenofscotland · 03/10/2018 20:49

I’m 27 and I still have mine. When I was upset this weekend my DP went and got him for me without being asked.
Never too old.

TheHollowLeggedGoat · 03/10/2018 20:51

I'm 44 and still have my teddy (though he lives in a drawer these days). He shared my bed until I found someone else to share in with! My DDs are 16 and 13 and still have their teddies in bed most nights. Never too old.

NoraButty · 03/10/2018 20:52

I remember being 10. The cool kids at school were saying having a teddy was babyish, I thought either they must be crackers or I was. Not wanting to risk alienating myself I went along with agreeing it was babyish too.

I bet secretly we all still had our teddy though, I know I did, still have it now (I'm late 40's).

I also remember the last year of high school trip away, we were 15/16 by then and mostly gotten past desperately wanting to appear to be cool to each other. I took my teddy on the residential and I wasn't the only one, it was a common 'something from home' to take.

Glaciferous · 03/10/2018 20:52

DD is 12 and has a favourite toy that she always sleeps with. It's completely normal.

I slept with my favourite soft toy until I was about 14.

My mum is 73 and still has her teddy (and is still very fond of him even though she doesn't sleep with him every night).

troodiedoo · 03/10/2018 20:52

38 and can't sleep without my bear.

TheHollowLeggedGoat · 03/10/2018 20:53

PS You don't have to tell our friends if you're embarrassed... you could make it into the bed into morning and then it wouldn't be on show.

YearOfYouRemember · 03/10/2018 20:54

My 17 year son and 13 year old son sleep with teddies and / or soft toys on their beds

I'm 46 and sometimes cuddle a soft toy to sleep. Don't even care.

ahouseofleaves · 03/10/2018 20:55

In my 40s and have had my teddy (Hugo) since I can remember. He sits on top of the wardrobe because he is too fragile to be handled much now, but he is not going anywhere.

Janleverton · 03/10/2018 20:57

Ds is 9 and takes his stuffed seal when we go away overnight and to bed at night. Can’t see him stopping any time soon, and why would he? Ds1 had stuffed monkey on his bed. Whether or not he cuddles him is his business - he’s 13! Monkey doesn’t tend to travel with us but if he wanted to that would be fine.

MyBrexitGoesOnHoliday · 03/10/2018 20:57

My two dcs, who are 13 and 15yo are still sleeping with theirs. Actually both will still take it with them when we go away in hols.

I’m 50yo and I still have mine

Island35 · 03/10/2018 20:57

I took my teddy to uni :) He's currently on the spare bed but knowing he isn't far away is comforting. Never too old for a teddy.