How Old is Too Old to Have Special Cuddlies?

[AJ65]

This relates to another topic I started, but how old is too old to have special cuddlies? My 9 yo DD has these floppy toys that she's had since she was a baby. She likes to keep them near her and sleeps with them. She also 'does' them which means rubbing certain bits of them between her fingers for a particular comforting sensation. She doesn't take them out and about and they only leave the house if we go away for holidays.

My husband despairs of them and makes efforts to get her to leave them in her room, but I'm not really bothered if they make her happy. It's clear that the more secure and happy she feels the less she carries them about and I'm pretty sure she'll give them up when she's good and ready, but he seems to think that if she isn't forced to give them up she'll take them to Uni with her (would that really be so terrible?)

Any thoughts?

DD2 has just turned 11, she received 3 more cuddlies for her birthday. Her bed is covered in them, as is the floor.

In my room I have the panda I bought when I was 6, and an elephant that I stick on my head to block out DH's noisy breathing.

For fathers day my DT 'bought' DH a toothless build a bear. You are never too old for a cuddley! Other Mr G will have to stop coming on work trips with me :-)

My DP is 26 and he has a Yoda teddy that the DCs bought him for Christmas last year.

Ours stay in our bedrooms with the door shut because they aren't coming back from death by dog.

There is a Too Old For Special Cuddlies age???

I'm in my 30s and my special bear is still on my bed. DH worked away last night, and I help him in my armpit and rubbed him for comfort, like I've done since I was a baby.

Dh coldheartedly threw my teddy out of bed when we married. She sits next to my bed, and if it's especially cold, or she's feeling left out then teddy needs to come in with us. Dh had to have this forcibly explained to him.

I listened to this episode of Woman's Hour the other week, guest edited by Jacqueline Wilson and they talked lots about the enduring comfort of children's toys (cuddly or otherwise), it was really interesting. I was very attached to my teddy bear until I went to secondary school, and I still think it was only fear of embarrassment that stopped me carrying him around every where. Worth a listen if you're interested, but I wouldn't worry: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b069z8f7

I'd be killed if he knew, but my big burly hard man brother, well into his 30s, married, a father himself, still has teddy in his bed! It's so sweet! Bless him, and bless his wife for sharing him with teddy.

I'm 41 and the Xmas that I was PG with DD, DH gave me a grey medium sized teddybear.

I've had it in bed every night since and more often than not, I am cuddling it when I wake up.

I took my special teddy to uni with me. It was reassuring when I was lonely and unsure. I wasn't unique among my friends in that regard either. He was gradually banished to the wardrobe once I was more confident. I still have him though - I think he's in the DCs toy box.

I took my bear on honeymoon. dh didn't mind at all