Any ideas for reducing dependence on comforters?

[Collectorofcookbooks]

My DTs are six and a half. They both have comforters that they are particularly attached to, which is fine.

However, they absolutely will not leave them in their bedroom and just use them at night time. The moment they come in the house, off they go to get them and carry them around. The damn things are driving me crazy! They get flung around, dropped, lost (and then we can’t find them and all hell breaks lose), or the other one will pick them up and run off with them. This morning they even made an appearance at the breakfast table.

I’m utterly fed up with them. I have no problem with them having them but I wish they’d keep them upstairs.

They also refuse to give them up for playdates at our house and I worry their friends will start teasing them.

Any ideas? We’ve tried incentives, banning them, hiding them, nothing works.

At that age I would just throw them away (perhaps on a Friday or before holidays) and let them tantrum it out.

Perfect time of year - suggest leaving them for Santa to take to younger children in need and in return he will bring a present of their choosing.

My DS 6 has a comforter he likes to have near him in the house. To be honest I find it sweet and it provides him with a sense of safety and security. I personally don't see a need to reduce his use of it. I'm sure he won't be carrying it around when he's 15! I'll just let nature take its course. I pop it in the wash several times a week.

Could you put them away somewhere where they can’t get them and only get them out at bedtime?
It seems a shame to take them away completely.

If you must remove the, Work on their security and ability to self soothe so that they need them less.

I’m quite sentimental about them and definitely wouldn’t get rid of them completely - but something needs to change. I don’t mind them having them, but not around the house. They’re threadbare and much loved!

The Santa idea is a good one. Wonder if he could bring them something to put them in during the day.

Comforters are very important objects in teaching children to self soothe and it is not unusual for children age 6 to still use them. I wouldn't throw them away or discourage thier use - they will definately not be using them at 15! (Although DS's conforter made a brief reapparance when he started secondary.)

Do not throw them out, would you like that someone throws away an item you particulary like just because it annoys them?

Talk to them. It is ok to have a comforter but they are old enough to accept that it moves to bedtime only. We had this with DD for years, she is addicted to teddies but needs the comfort as her ADD is causing huge stress and anxiety so we moved it from big ones all day to just at bedtime and a tiny one in her coat pocket/bag.

How about a box they can design, simple wood they can paint or stick on, where the comforter "rests" during the day and they can take it out at bedtime.

I wouldn't connect it with Santa, if it doesn't work than you have a mayhem at Christmas.

Will give that a go, thanks

My DD had hers until she was about 10. I loved it - the comforter made her feel safe and secure, so what's not to like? However I did make a rule that it had to live in the bedroom , from when she started school. I didn't want her to be dragging it out when friends came to visit . She accepted the "bedroom only" rule and kept her comforter for many more years.