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Original poster

I'm an adult ... but I own a teddy bear! (Light-hearted (ish!))

117 replies

Goneforaride · 09/04/2024 12:01

I'm an adult, fully functioning female. Retired from a professional job, but with a good social life, active hobbies, a dog, an unwell DH to care for (vascular dementia plus other health issues), a home to look after and all the usual life admin and other stuff going on.

So, I have come on an anonymous on-line forum to confess that I own several stuffed toys - teddy bears, a fluffy sheep, a fluffy unicorn and other kids toys which I am very fond of and which I have no intention of parting with any time soon. Some of them live in our spare room - the space where I keep my clothes etc, and some of them live in my little home office - the place I used to use to wfh before I retired, and which remains my little retreat from the rest of the house.

I know I really need to grow up and consign them all to the local charity shop, but can anyone make me feel a bit better about this awful confession, and tell me they too have a fluffy little pal that just won't part with?

OP posts:
DimplesToadfoot · 09/04/2024 14:50

I gave the majority of my teddy's to my GD but I still have my first childhood teddy who lives at the side of my bed, he's over 50yrs old now, he'll be with me until I die.

ATGforever · 09/04/2024 14:53

No there's nothing wrong with it!

I even cuddle mine sometimes when I'm trying to get to sleep. I've had him since I was little.

Zoopet · 09/04/2024 15:05

I love teddies and I'm always finding new( to me) ones.
Here's my latest.
( Already had the dog.)
I'm 65.

I'm an adult ... but I own a teddy bear! (Light-hearted (ish!))

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Dementia & alzheimer's Toys
CrocusSnowdrop · 09/04/2024 15:13

I renovated my favourite teddy a few years ago. I unpicked a seam, took out the stuffing, and then washed the skin/ fur. You should have seen the amount of dirt that came out, it took about 6 rinses for the water to stop being murky brown! And she was supposed to be white! Then once she was dry, I replaced her nose (the original one snapped off years ago and just left a plastic stump), restuffed her with the same stuffing plus some extra to make her plump again, and sewed her up. Then I used a teddy bear brush I bought online (it's broad with very fine stiff wire bristles) to brush out her fur until it was fluffy again. I also carefully washed and mended her original dress and replaced the torn lace on the collar.
I'll keep her forever, and maybe in another 20 years she'll need cleaning again, even more carefully!

NeedWineNow · 09/04/2024 15:59

I've got several bears and love them! Most live in the loft room, but I've got a large white fluffy bear who sits on the chair in our back bedroom/my dressing room, and one who sits on my bedside table. I often get panic attacks in the night and rather than disturb DH I can reach out and get my best and he helps me to go back to sleep

Newtrix · 09/04/2024 16:55

Laiste · 09/04/2024 12:34

I have my old teddy from childhood (threadbare now) and a teddy DH bought me for the first birthday i had when we were dating - it had a beautiful bracelet on it's arm 😊 (to be honest i was equally thrilled with the ted ! Blush)

I also have
https://www.jellycat.com/odette-ostrich-ode2o/

who i saw in a shop and i just couldn't resist !

Odette is FABULOUS!

loza12 · 09/04/2024 17:04

Yes I have one my Nan (we called her nanny bear) gave me when I was 5 and now that teddie sits next to my bed on my bedside table wearing my necklace with my nans ashes and I won't be getting rid of that bear!

WinedropsOnMoses · 09/04/2024 17:19

I had a Lolly Dolly when I was little...one of those gingham raggedy dolls.Was absolutely obsessed with her and caused many a scene whenever I misplaced her.

Kept her secretly throughout uni,marriage and even as a first-time parent :D

Our parent passed away in my mid 20s,and my elder siblings and I had agreed to put something sentimental of our choice in the coffin.

Turns out I wasn't the only one..my two sisters in their mid thirties also turned up at the funeral home with their own 'special friends'. It was a strangely funny moment,we absolutely pissed ourselves as we met eyes and walked together with dolls and teddies which we'd never confessed we'd held on to.

So no OP,I don't think you are weird at all.

(I still miss my doll though 🤭)

poppym12 · 09/04/2024 17:25

I discovered my bear had been attacked by moths. I was gutted as he was bought for me at birth by my late parents. He's going on a special holiday soon to be patched up. Costing a fair bit but it's worth it to me.

Enjoy your bears.

Medschoolmum · 09/04/2024 17:50

poppym12 · 09/04/2024 17:25

I discovered my bear had been attacked by moths. I was gutted as he was bought for me at birth by my late parents. He's going on a special holiday soon to be patched up. Costing a fair bit but it's worth it to me.

Enjoy your bears.

Oh god, I would be heartbroken! I hope he comes back from his special holiday feeling rejuvenated!

poppym12 · 09/04/2024 17:52

I was @Medschoolmum ! I contacted several repair places to suss out their work. I'm just hoping he comes back still looking like my old bear!

SpikyHatePotato · 09/04/2024 18:12

I have a dragon that I collected tokens from Reddy Brek to get, and an okapi that I got quite recently from Chester Zoo. The okapi comes on holiday and when I'm working away from home.

FloofyBird · 09/04/2024 19:02

I still have my childhood teddy. I'd have a whole collection if I had room (especially jellycats). I'd also Schlepp one round the supermarket if it were socially acceptable for adults to do so :D

My dd has a big collection. Sometimes she says she just can't leave one in the shop because it calls to her and needs to come home

Medschoolmum · 09/04/2024 19:06

FloofyBird · 09/04/2024 19:02

I still have my childhood teddy. I'd have a whole collection if I had room (especially jellycats). I'd also Schlepp one round the supermarket if it were socially acceptable for adults to do so :D

My dd has a big collection. Sometimes she says she just can't leave one in the shop because it calls to her and needs to come home

DD and I both have the thing about not being able to leave certain "people" in the shop because they plead to come with us!

Darklane · 09/04/2024 19:37

I have more than a few teddies, they’re not going anywhere. I even used to go to the teddy bear fairs when there were lots about.
Zoopet I love your dog, thought he was real!

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 09/04/2024 19:39

My Dd has a hoard of Jellycats. I’m more obsessed with them than her. They’re gorgeous. Those Bashful and Blossom bunnies💕

PaperDoIIs · 09/04/2024 19:40

I share mine with DD , but I do have some. Sometimes I pick one to sleep with. I also inherited a baby doll from DD that I sleep with sometimes/use it in the bedtime stories/scenarios I tell myself to go to sleep.

OH and DD think I'm bonkers, but if it works.. it works.

the80sweregreat · 09/04/2024 19:59

I love my bear so much.
I sent him to a lovely ' Bear hospital' in Dorset to have an eye replaced and be cleaned and now his back and looking dapper
His as old as me , but now in better shape !
I have a few others around too, but they are smaller.

BirthdayRainbow · 09/04/2024 20:03

On my bed side table is a stuffed Snoopy I've had since I was seven and another teddy I've had slightly longer. I'd only part with them if my children's life's were at risk. In bed I have a teddy that is nearly as long as me and he sleeps there all the time. I also have a giant dog who is currently in the loft as I'm moving house but when I move he'll be somewhere upstairs. Don't give a crap if anyone thinks I'm sad.

VeryQuaintIrene · 09/04/2024 20:04

I have two 3 foot long stuffed hippopotami, one of whom is nearly 60 years old. I don't sleep with them because I sleep with Mrs Irene, but they are in our bedroom and she loves them almost as much as I do.

Medschoolmum · 09/04/2024 20:17

PaperDoIIs · 09/04/2024 19:40

I share mine with DD , but I do have some. Sometimes I pick one to sleep with. I also inherited a baby doll from DD that I sleep with sometimes/use it in the bedtime stories/scenarios I tell myself to go to sleep.

OH and DD think I'm bonkers, but if it works.. it works.

I think my DH probably thinks I'm bonkers.

But we've been together for nearly 30 years now, and he has gone from a place of complete incomprehension when we first met - he didn't have cuddly toys growing up and assumed that they were only for young children - to addressing each of mine by name and apologising politely to them when he needs to move them. I reckon he does still think I'm nuts but he figures that it's probably best to just play along.

18yo dd, on the other hand, is completely on my team. I used to do different voices for all of her cuddlies when she was younger, and created a whole character for each one, with its own likes and dislikes, quirks, passions and insecurities etc. I never intended to, it just evolved that way. But now I think we are both totally convinced that those characters are actually real!

the80sweregreat · 09/04/2024 20:19

My bear is a grumpy one! His personality is definitely' Victor Meldrew'
My little white bear is cute and always happy!
They definitely do have their own quirks and natures.

Zoflorabore · 09/04/2024 20:28

Do not give them to the charity shop op! Look how many of us have them too.

im 46 and I have a stuffed crocodile called Oscar and a big fat Squishmellow crab called Carol.
I kiss them both goodnight and everything 🤣

my 13yr old dd has so many and I will be encouraging her to carry on with her Jellycat collection as it’s so cute. Who cares what anyone else thinks?!

Medschoolmum · 09/04/2024 20:33

the80sweregreat · 09/04/2024 20:19

My bear is a grumpy one! His personality is definitely' Victor Meldrew'
My little white bear is cute and always happy!
They definitely do have their own quirks and natures.

Glad I'm not the only one.

We have a mix of grumpy and happy ones in our house. A couple of right divas who are a bit full of themselves. Some rather nervous, anxious types who need a lot of reassurance. A bit of a spoilt toddler type who likes to be the centre of attention. A delightfully kind and avuncular chap. And a very curious reptile who wants to try anything and everything.

hazeydays14 · 09/04/2024 20:45

My gran is 81, unfortunately living with severe dementia to the point she is no longer able to speak, she’s been bed bound for the last 5+ years
But she has this tiny little lion teddy, think it belonged to one of us gran kids at some point and she holds and smooths him every day. If anyone tried to take that teddy to the charity shop I’d be apoplectic
I have my own teddies that also live in my spare room, they won’t be going anywhere either
My best friend has a rag baby blanket that is still very dear to her, used to come to every sleep over we had as kids but now sleeps soundly under her pillow instead
There’s nothing wrong with keeping these things round for comfort!