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Parenting

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Original poster

How much longer will he want to snuggle for?

53 replies

musicalfrog · 28/12/2020 19:45

Still snuggle my boy to sleep every other night (take turns with his dad) and wondering how much longer we'll have this privilege.

He's nearly 8.

Feeling a bit melancholy tonight, the wine hadn't helped. We went through a traumatic birth together all that time ago and I feel so close to him. Don't want it to end.

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dancemom · 28/12/2020 20:26

A snuggle before bed or you have to stay with him and cuddle him till he falls asleep?

Original poster

musicalfrog · 28/12/2020 20:29

@dancemom

A snuggle before bed or you have to stay with him and cuddle him till he falls asleep?

I stay till he's asleep. I often fall asleep too ☺️ The power nap gives me the energy to stay up late and watch a film with DP.

OP posts:

welshsoph · 28/12/2020 20:35

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

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AlexaShutUp · 28/12/2020 20:41

My dd is 15 and still likes to have the occasional sleepover! She also climbed into my bed this morning for snuggles, and will quite often plant herself on my lap for a cuddle!

Mustbemagic · 28/12/2020 20:43

This is so sweet.
My 4yo has asked if we can go with him when he goes to university, as he doesn’t want to go alone and will need cuddles 😂

HollyandIvyandallthingsYule · 28/12/2020 20:44

You’ve probably got at least another two or three years!

You could also introduce another element once he doesn’t want to do that anymore - my friend read a chapter or three of a book to her son every evening right through his teenage years. I thought that was a great way to foster continued closeness and communication once the physical cuddling fell by the wayside.

HollyandIvyandallthingsYule · 28/12/2020 20:47

Try to bear in mind though that it’s really important for healthy development and general wellbeing as an adult to allow children to distance themselves a little when they feel ready or when it becomes their natural inclination - it’s part of your role as a parent to accept that and let them foster their own physical and psychological independence. They’ll likely come back for hugs once they’re a bit older and have spent some time in the adult world!

Whatisthepoint10 · 28/12/2020 21:01

Mine is same age and falls asleep no problem but very affectionate and demands hugs and kisses often. Fingers crossed it will last!! I feel sad sometimes too

Solasum · 28/12/2020 21:02

I certainly don’t force my son to cuddle me. My mum was telling me that one of her fondest memories of my childhood is when I used to sneak into her bed and twine my legs round her like ivy. I think it is very natural to be physically close together, as long as everyone is there by choice

HollyandIvyandallthingsYule · 28/12/2020 21:06

Absolutely! I’m just saying it can help to prepare you for inevitable ‘letting go’ if you accept that it’s part of your duty to your children to ensure they emerge as fully independent adults ready to stand alone and face life. All the little steps of independence along the way can seem quite sad if you focus on them too much with only the perspective you’ve got at that specific point - viewing it more broadly can help a lot. Circle of life and all that.

HalleLouja · 28/12/2020 21:09

We used to lie with DD most nights until she was nearly 9. There may have been times I fell asleep with her..... Now she’s 9, she doesn’t seem to need us. But she still stops what she’s doing sometimes for a hug. She’s definitely still a snuggly one.

Also DS nearly a teen, has never been much of a hugger just like me will sometimes cuddle up to me on the couch. It makes it more special when he does want a hug.

HalleLouja · 28/12/2020 21:10

Strike through fail.

InvincibleInvisibility · 28/12/2020 21:12

My 9 and 6 year old boys still come into my bed every morning for a snuggle. Both would happily do the same to go to sleep but trying to wean them off it to get my evenings back.

9 year old has ADHD and if he's had an awful day I'll sit in his room for him to go to sleep.

Whenever one is ill they always sleep with me (and DH takes the spare room).

And during the day they both frequently come for hugs. They're incredibly cuddly and loving.

Notcrackersyet · 28/12/2020 21:15

I noticed that DSD7 isn't so keen on morning cuddles recently - she used to climb into bed every morning for a cuddle with her dad. Now she 'doesn't like to wake us up'. And while I am happy that she can be independent and amuse herself, it's a little sad too. She still adores the bedtime routine, so I think he is safe for nighttime cuddles for the foreseeable...

AntiHop · 28/12/2020 21:18

Snuggling my 6 year old to sleep is my favourite part of my day.

Miljea · 28/12/2020 22:02

I get daily snuggles from mine. He's 21😂

HollyandIvyandallthingsYule · 28/12/2020 23:26

My youngest DD is very cuddly and loves snuggling up. My eldest doesn’t like it at all and will offer a hug once in a great while.

I miss them. Hopefully will be able to see them soon!

Disorganisedfish · 28/12/2020 23:34

Ds is nearly 9 and snoring beside me now! He’s super snuggly still - not in the mornings though as he’s “busy” then apparently, but loves an evening on the sofa cuddled up with me watching tv, and loves gatecrashing my bed for a sleepover even more!

Excitedforxmas · 28/12/2020 23:37

16 here and still snuggling

BeautyAndTheBump1 · 29/12/2020 12:23

My husband is 30 and will still willingly accept back tickles and hair/head strokes off his mum.

But now she has to use both hands because I lay the other side of her whilst she plays with my hair and strokes my head she loves it though. She has 3 boys, loves her boys to bits, but i'm the 'daughter experience' she never had

QuantumJump · 29/12/2020 13:01

I have a very snuggly 11yo DS.

Sweetpea1532 · 29/12/2020 20:24

@musicalfrog
So glad you "got" my post

Thank you so much for the opportunity to visit memory lane about snuggles with my DS....
When I read your reassurance, I got goosebumps
I am happy to report that snuggly DS and DDil have recently welcomed a DS....My DS is an excellent hands on father and does everything needed to love his little baby on a whole other level...nappy changes, baths, feedings, washing bottles, walks in the pram, singing, night time routine, washing clothes, etc, etc. Totally unexpected as he is an American footballer, retired military member, weightlifter...just not the 'type' that would appear to be a nurturer... Looks can be deceiving
It's so wonderful to witness my snuggly DS snuggled up with his own DS. I wish you the same

Sweetpea1532 · 29/12/2020 20:42

@musicalfrog
My little snuggler grew into a big snuggler with a little snuggler all his own

Original poster

musicalfrog · 29/12/2020 22:06

Ahhh @Sweetpea1532 this is so lovely thank you for sharing, maybe a little glimpse into the future!!

@BeautyAndTheBump1 how amazing is that!

Thank you all so much for sharing your lovely experiences, this has been thoroughly pleasant and I'm really glad I asked!

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Msfoxy17 · 29/12/2020 22:13

This is such a lovely thread. I have a 3 year old DD who adores cuddles all day long.. sometime I think to myself, I wonder how long she will be like this for? Of course no one knows but I hope it will last for a while!

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