Too Old To Sleep With A Teddy Bear?

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.

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 school during 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!