Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Co-sleeping at 6 years old

49 replies

ellie09 · 15/04/2023 23:06

Hi all

My 6 year old has a few SEN and currently lives with me in our home.

Since his dad moved out, he has always slept in my bed. Even if he falls asleep in his own, he will sneak in during the night for cuddles.

His dad seems to be the only one with the issue saying how he is too old to be doing this.

Can you please let me know your thoughts on this?

OP posts:
Domino20 · 15/04/2023 23:07

It's fine

IfYouLikePinaCoIadas · 15/04/2023 23:08

It's fine. More than fine. Perfectly normal in other cultures.

Botw1 · 15/04/2023 23:08

Absolutely fine

IlonaRN · 15/04/2023 23:08

My 7-yr-old neuro-typical boy does this too.
He will stop when he no longer feels the need.

BiffChipsandKippers · 15/04/2023 23:09

I think it's fine. My 6yo DS would sleep with me every night if he could but DH is still very much here and he has 2 siblings who he'd have to fight for the place with 🤣 Hd likes to come in with me for a special treat when DH is working away (and I secretly love it!). Don't know any 18yos who still co sleep so I would t worry. Ex-P can sod off

PinkFluffyUnicornsDancingOnRainbows · 15/04/2023 23:10

My 7 year old does this. I think it is very very common.

GodspeedJune · 15/04/2023 23:11

It’s totally fine.

SheilaWilcox · 15/04/2023 23:11

Enjoy the snuggles.

SnackSizeRaisin · 15/04/2023 23:12

It's fine. And great that you can offer him this. It will probably really help him with the trauma of divorced parents

IntheJingelyJangelyJungle · 15/04/2023 23:12

Mines almost 8. He still does this 2-3 nights a week.

His big brother is 11… he did same at this age, stopped maybe a couple of years ago (and still sleeps with me if he is sick and sometimes comes in for a quick cuddle at 7.30am)

No SEN, two parent family. Boys happy and vivacious in their lives.

There is no hurry in pushing them out. He’s 6, not 16.

I would say snooze together with impunity!

Hankunamatata · 15/04/2023 23:14

My 10 yr old ds would happily sleep in my bed. Both in pj's, don't see the issue except he manages to hog most of the space

livingoncoffeeeee · 15/04/2023 23:16

I don't see a problem with it at all. As we speak my 8 year old son is sparko next to me in bed and my 12 year old daughter occasionally sleeps with me when she's not feeling well

Member869894 · 15/04/2023 23:17

It's fine. My dd slept in my bed until she was 11. Now at 17 she doesn't want to be seen dead with me 😀

DelurkingAJ · 15/04/2023 23:19

DSs frequently complain that they are no longer permitted to co-sleep. They are 10 and 7 and DH and I prevent them (unless ill, in which case one of us swaps beds with that DC) because they both sleep like hyperactive octopuses…so DH and I get no sleep at all. Can’t see a problem myself, seems perfectly natural!

Singleandproud · 15/04/2023 23:24

DD did the same until she was 10. Now she sleeps with a big pregnancy U shaped pillow instead of me. She has ASD although we didn't know that until recently and like many children sleep was an issue.

MacarenaMacarena · 16/04/2023 00:07

Remind DH how sad children feel when their dad walks out...

CoffeeCakeAndALattePlease · 16/04/2023 00:52

It’s fine.

DD (8) always shares with me when DH is away.

StillMedusa · 16/04/2023 01:01

The last time one of my sons crawled in next to me he was... 22!

His mate had missed the last bus home, and so DS1 offered him his bed, and as Dh was away he got in next to me! I was asleep and it was quite a surprise to find a mop of fair hair next to me when I woke (dh is bald Grin)

It made me smile and happy to realise that it didn't even occur to him that I might find it strange... I'm just Mum and there was a spare space!

Mine all bed hopped until they were about 8 or 9 and then if they had had a bad dream or felt poorly... they are all perfectly sensible (and in DS1's case happily married) adults now .

Enjoy!

purpleme12 · 16/04/2023 01:06

Well my child is 9 and still in with me and no SEN so no problem here!

Flittingaboutagain · 16/04/2023 01:07

I think it's lovely.

StillMedusa your post gave me a cosy warm glow!

ladydimitrescu · 16/04/2023 01:10

My 6yo DS sleeps with me every night because he absolutely hates being alone in his room and is genuinely terrified. Currently being assessed for ASD, but either way they're still so little. Enjoy the snuggles 🥰

notagain2020 · 16/04/2023 01:14

Not a problem and likely a great comfort to him. He won't still be doing it at age 12 so just leave it up to him.

Youdoyoubabe · 16/04/2023 01:16

Lot of bed hopping here and co sleeping still 17, 15 and 12. Youngest one often goes on the floor if no room in bed left.

IfYouLikePinaCoIadas · 16/04/2023 01:17

Youdoyoubabe · 16/04/2023 01:16

Lot of bed hopping here and co sleeping still 17, 15 and 12. Youngest one often goes on the floor if no room in bed left.

I love this.

LBFseBrom · 16/04/2023 01:23

It's perfectly normal. Mine did the same until older than yours and it did no harm at all.

Swipe left for the next trending thread