Too Old To Sleep With A Teddy Bear?
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There are two types of parents out there; those who think kids ought to be allowed to grow out of being kids on their own, and those who think they ought to stop being kids at a certain age. Security blankets, thumb-sucking, etc, etc -- these are things that parents often debate with regard to finding, or already knowing, the "correct" answer. I don't have much to say on those topics, because I didn't experience them. But I did have a teddy bear. Therefore, when I hear parents going on about when their little princess (or prince) ought to have the teddy bear shelved at bedtime, I will often tell them my own experience with them -- which always leads to a shockingly new perspective for them.
Buy A Teddy Bear!
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9 Inch 25th Anniversary Snuffles by Gund
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Melissa & Doug Jumbo Brown Teddy Bear - Plush
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Melissa & Doug Cuddly White Bear- Plush
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Plush Super Xie Xie Panda 28"
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Gund Baby 15" My First Teddy - Blue
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Summer Infant Mommies Melodies Gund Bear
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SLUMBERS - bear
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Gund Wooly Bear
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Teddy Bears Are Not Necessarily Security Blankets
I never had a security blanket as a kid. Never felt the need. I was left home alone from a very young age, was a latch key kid from a very young age, spent most of my time alone from a very young age, never asked for help unless I really needed it. I was very, very independent and self-reliant. I did not like to hold hands when crossing the street, walking about, etc. In other words, I was not a needy, insecure or nervous child. It never even occurred to me to take my teddy bear to school -- or even take it out of my bedroom, really -- and yet, I slept with it every night.
Teddy Bears Make Good Pillows For Stomach Sleepers
I sleep on my stomach. Always have. A regular pillow was always too big for the sake of comfort, but the arm of my teddy bear was perfect. It was just the right height to allow me to breathe, and soft enough be very comfortable. In fact, the teddy bear was such a superior pillow, that I continued to use it for more than 20 years.
I Slept With My Teddy Bear Until I Was 28
And to be honest, I'd probably still be sleeping with it now, at 32, if my ex hadn't ripped him apart when I was 28. I'm a pretty confident female, and no one in their right mind would ever have even thought that my teddy bear was catering to some kind of insecurity. It was simply a habit that met a basic need -- a decent night's sleep. And while I'm on that, when the prat ripped my poor little 20 year old teddy bear apart, it took me nearly a year of trying tons of pillows to actually find something that came even close to being the right thickness or size to allow me to sleep. I miss my teddy!
Lots Of Adults Have Teddy Bears
Over the years I've been a member of various online communities, and it's always interesting to see this topic brought up, because loads of 20-somethings are quick to admit they have teddy bears, and even sleep with them. These adults don't feel like idiots for it, they don't seem particularly socially inept or bizarre, and they don't apologize for it. Most probably because their parents didn't make a huge deal out of it. Which brings me to the next point:
Don't Take A Kid's Teddy Away Just Because You Don't Get It
Unless your child has an obvious attachment issue with their teddy bear -- insisting on taking it to sixth grade, for example -- your kid is just like any number of other children who grew up with a teddy bear. Let them be a kid, for God's sake. Believe me, there are far worse habits your child could be developing. A teddy habit is a pretty ok thing, all things considered!
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Comments
I have a few teddy's and even action figures and lots of cool stuff that I kept, and do I still play with them?, I sure do!!!
I think the people who have a problem with keeping their teddy are the ones who really miss there teddy later in life and want to have a little one on one talk and chat about the good old days, but they can't because their teddy fell in the bin!
I always make sure my teddy is alright every night!
I completely agree. I sleep with my teddy bear when my boyfriend isn't there so that I have something to drape my arm around. A pillow is such a strange shape for me to cuddle with but a teddy bear is just right.
Love this subject, I get great feelings from thinking about my little tekkers.
All my kids and grandkids had have teddys or similar.They are still sleeping with them today.
I can see where you are coming from with the sleeping. Three of my Gkids use their soft toys for all sorts of sleeping aids, and just cuddling teddy is a wonderful way to sleep if you have separate cots.The liittlest ones enjoy cuddling up to each other when they sleep. Too cute. Makes me cry.
Isabella! I agree with you one hundred percent children should keep their teddys as long as they want and need them. Would you believe that I still have one of my favorite dolls she is at least 50 years old and she has a place of honour on a shelf above my bed. She looks forward to the times when my grandaughters come over for a sleep over because then she gets played with again.
great hub regards Zsuzsy
Count me in Isabella!! GREAT Hub!!
Isn't it ironic that the simplest, least expected things in life really point to our similarities and not our differences??
I have tons of teddies!! Bears and lingerie!! And I see nothing incongruant with having and enjoying both!!
I am sorry your ex- tore your teddy apart - I'm sure that was the end of him!! I probably would have used my non-sewing skills and spent the year putting teddy back together again!!
I think sometimes our favorite pair of sweats act in much the same way!! For me, old, faded, elastic gone, holes every where, comfort clothes are like wrapping a teddy bear around me!!
I would still have the stuffed variety in my bed except there is no room with the four live ones!!
Celebrate your teddies!! Go Isabella!! Thanks again for a great Hub!!
Blessings always, Earth Angel!!
I still have my teddy bear from when I was a child. I passed it on to my daugther but last week she gave it back to me. She said she is growing and she doesn't need it (but she still has another 2 on her bed!) So now we are three in bed again: Me, husband on ther rigth and teddy on the left :) I love it.
I can't believe what your ex did to your Teddy... I hope he goes to Teddy's hell to be tortured by Teddies for the eternity ;-)
I agree with you that parents take away certain things from chidren forcing them to grow up faster. My son is 15 and has this tiny little scrap left from his favorite blanky.
I never had a teddy bear, but one of my son did .I can't remember when he stopped sleeping with it, he just stop, he is now into pillows ans cushions. I supposed he just like to be comfortable.
I sleep my teddy bear Tug.
I got a teddy bear since i was 8 and until now i still take care of him.
even i am old i teddy bears are so much attached to me. I don't even choose to buy my teddies. they ask me to buy them :)
i love teddy to the core and want to have lots of them around me
No one ever quite gets over a lost bear... I've never met anyone so cruel as to take one away from a kid
I'm 17 and still sleep with my teddy. I can't sleep without it. I even take him on holiday, and he's not a small one either.
I have a white, really soft & cuddly bunny that I had named Snowy Bunny. I'm 17 and he still sleeps next to me every night. I remember, years ago, when our house was on fire, he was the only thing I grabbed as I ran out with my family. I love you, Snowy =)
I'm 18 and I still sleep with my teddy, I took him on vacations and even to college. He is staying with more for awhile. My snuffles :)
I've had a teddy called Boo since I was born, he's completely bald and i've stitche dhim up so many times to stop his head falling off. I'm 20 and I still hug him every night and when I'm watching tv and his smells reminds me of my childhood!! I can't imagine what I'd do if ANYONE ripped him up I'd be murderous!! I'd never take a teddy from a child, they're just comforting and there's nothing wrong with that. If anything, they help children to be less clingy to their parents! x
I'm 34 and have a teddy bear who was bought for me before I was born, so technically he's older than I am. And yes, I still sleep with him. It's not that I couldn't sleep without him, I don't bring him with me to other places, but I think it's just that he serves a purpose in bed, as something to hold or to prop up the blankets in the winter so I can snuggle under but still breathe. And like you Roxanne, I have had to sew him up so many time because somehow his neck just gets worn out. He's due for some TLC now actually. I suppose anyone else would think he was unsanitary looking too, because I think he's too fragile to actually put in the wash anymore. But if I did wash him, think of all the memories that would wash away. Like the amber singe marks on the back of his legs from when my parents washed him and hung him to dry on our old 70s lodge-style fireplace! Or the
I'm 17 and still cuddle with my stuffed purple and yellow cow called Marshmallow :) every night when i go to sleep. It's a comfort thing. I don't like sleeping alone so i feel safe holding on to something. Parents who take their kids teddies are just cruel. The mere thought of an adult yanking a teddy from a kids arms is heartbreaking! Awww :(
Whitney05 says:
14 months ago
I feel ya! I have a rag doll that sleeps in the bed with me and the dogs. As embarassing as it sounds to admit, sometimes I just have to hold onto something and she pops out from the side of the pillow and under my arm she goes... I've gone through 2 since I was a kid. My parents bought three in three different colors. Not quite sure where the third is; they probably hid it. Ha.
And, I agree you should never take away a child's doll, bear, blanket, or stuffed anything. It's a comfort thing. Same with forcing a child to stop sucking his/her thumb. The child will do it when he/she's good and ready. Just as long as the child's not 15 walking throughout the mall sucking his/her thumb. :-P