At what age is it inappropriate for a boy to be sleeping with a stuffed animal?

Question

My live in girfriends son is 12 and still sleeps with a teddy bear. Is he a little to old for this. I think so and my girfriend thinks he will stop on his own.

Answer 1

He'll stop when he stops.

Jeez.

Answer 2

Why is there a problem with that, it is not hurting anyone or anything.  I am a 19yo guy and I still sleep with a wolf stuffed animal.  It is probably comforting to him and helps him sleep; so if anything it is doing some good.  At least you know he as a soft, caring side and probably will make a good husband some day.

Answer 3

He might never get rid of it! My husband still has his favorite. It is up in the attic in a box of old stuff that is fun to remember.

My kids have a few of my old stuffed animals.

Psychologically, it is really healthy. Having your moms boyfriend picking on you isn't. Mind your own business.

Answer 4

Girlfriends right. He's ok!

Answer 5

hmm that is weird

she  should probably try to talk to him about why

he still does then she can come up with a solution.

Answer 6

8 is to old

Answer 7

Who is to say what an inappropriate age is? This would be different for each child.  Like your gf says. It's up to her son when he decides to stop.  I don't think 12 is to old. He's a boy still. Kids are being forced to grow up to fast these days. Don't be pushing a "macho" attitude on him.  I am 42, a firefighter and worked in utility line construction. Two very tough, demanding and "macho" jobs and I am a teddy bear guy. I have 3 of them and one is my childhood teddy.

Answer 8

Oh, don't worry about it. My brother is 12 and still sleeps with his bunny. He's totally fine, but it's just something he knows will be there. he doesn't take it on sleepovers, etc, but "Bummy" is next to him every night. Your girlfriend's son just wants something he can count on, since apparently a father isn't there- just an assumption.

Answer 9

He's probably too old statistically, but who cares if he wants to sleep with his bear. It's not hurting anyone.

Answer 10

this is perfectly okay as long as he knows that its only okay to do at home. he'll eventually stop and move on

Answer 11

is 32 a bit old?

Answer 12

I really don't think it matters. If there are other symptoms of inmaturity, then maybe it should be a concern, but to be honest, I don't think it really should be of concern to you at all. (and I don't mean that in a judgmental way at all)  I have to agree with your girlfriend on this one.

Answer 13

I don't think he is to old. My husband has a pillow that floats around are bed that has been reduced to a small bundle of feathers. Affectionately name fwellow. His grandma gave it to him as a baby to help him sleep. : )

Answer 14

I do not think that it's inappropriate for anyone of any age to sleep with a teddy bear. If it brings comfort to your girlfriends son as he goes to sleep, then that is just fine. Sleeping is a time when a person is meant to feel safe and at ease and if the teddy bear helps provoke these feelings then there is no need for him to give it up. It is possible that the toy has sentimental value to him, so he continues to sleep with it, just as a photo or a family heirloom may have to someone else. It may be a little embarrassing when friends find out about the teddy, and people might think he is being immature, but it's really his own choice and his comfort that matters. I do believe that in time, he most likely will give up this habit though, in attempts to avoid embarrassment among peers. There is certainly no need to worry though.

Answer 15

I say be happy he is not carrying a purse =l A stuffed animal is not gonna hurt anyone if he is sleeping with it. Maybe it is just for attention or comfort. Boys do mature much later then girls ; ) Depending on how long you have been living together he may just need time to adjust or spend more time bonding with him. Then he will begin to feel more secure as time passes.

Answer 16

You can't force him to do anything he doesn't want to do. Give him time. Maybe he isn't like most little boys. Maybe he's different. Let him be and don't interfere. She is his mother. She can decide.

Jane

Answer 17

I think that there is nothing wrong with that.  He will grow out of it when the time comes.

Answer 18

Like when the boy is 7.

Answer 19

My response to your question is mind your own business. He is her son and she is the person that makes the decisions. I think you are putting your nose into something that is none of your business. The fact that this youngster still sleeps with

a stuff animal probably means he needs to sleep with it.

He is a child of a single mother so he has no father figure and

probably has had a lot of insecurity in his life. Having you probably making cracks about him being too old for the toy or being a wimp will not help him over this patch. He will stop on his own.

Answer 20

When my grandfather was sick with cancer he had a "comfort/pain" stuffed dog that he had with him always. When he couldnt talk anymore he'd toss it around the room to us and whoever had the dog would talk to him, about their day and such. Well when he died my grandma went out and bought us all identical dogs.  My brother was 5. He slept with it every night.

He's 13 now, and that dog is sooo worn and matted. He STILL sleeps with him. Its very special to him.

He doesn't take it to friends houses, and he doesn't panic if he doesn't have it, so its not really an issue.

I don't see ANYTHING wrong with holding on to special parts of your childhood. As long as he doesn't drag it around in his waking hours, or get relentlessly teased by peers I think its perfectly fine! :-D

Answer 21

No he is not to old for that.  Some guys keep there teddy bears forever!! Also maybe it helps him sleep.  If it makes him feel safe let him be, thats usually what stuffed animals are.  and listen to your girlfriend she knows what shes talking about.

Answer 22

Grammy slept with a stuffed teddy till she was 95 when God took her home. We buried it with her so she could rest in peace!

Answer 23

45

Answer 24

yea he's kind of old for that but it's not going to do him any harm

Answer 25

It's probably more inappropriate you makin' his mama a hoe by  

not marrying her ...but still living and sleeping with her.

Answer 26

Your girlfriend is right.  If he is married and still holding onto that teddy bear and not his wife then he's got problems.  Until then leave him alone.

Answer 27

honestly i c an say yes and no.

maybe that teddy bear is his comfort zone. that he got so used to sleeping with it he needs, it. but try telling him in a sensitive way that hes growing up and maybe he should not sleep with the teddy nomore, and if he gets defensive then drop the subject and he will eventually grow out of it.

also my girlfriend is 34 and still sleeps with one. its jsut a comfort

Answer 28

If it's a consenting adult stuffed animal ...I don't see the problem here.