My 13 year old is ready to let go of his stuffies..

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parents can’t stop infantilizing their kids, it’s no wonder there are so many preteens who sleep with stuffed animals and can’t stay dry through the night. Do you still give him help taking a bath?

I don't know why you associate stuffed animals with anything except comfort and memories. Maybe someone hurt you as a kid and made you grow up too fast? Both my parents had cabbage patch kids and stuffed animals, they were very successful mature adults. My wife and I do too, and we're extremely successful adults. There's no difference between having them and other sentimental stuff adults keep.

OP keep them in a closet a bit in case your kid changes their mind. Then if you donate, keep some of the favorites like many others have said. It doesn't take up much space and it'll bring back great memories someday if he's sick or he has kids.

+1 I took a few stuffed animals with me to college and kept them through grad school and my first adult apartments/jobs. Actually added a couple that SOs got me as gifts. Now I'm a married mom of 2 and a professional. I'm not sure what negative impact the stuffies had?

[Anonymous]

I hear you. My 15 year old still sleeps with his stuffy he’s had since he was 2. He hides it, and I keep wondering when he will give it up. I thought surely before high school. Maybe college. It will be a sad day for me too. It’s hard to see them grow up

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Of course you're sad! We all bawled our eyes out at Toy Story 3! I would keep one or two. Put them away somewhere and let him grow up but have the sentimental thing for yourself, and maybe to give him when he has a kid.

Stuffed animals don't really hold up over decades. My MIL held onto a stuffed bear for years and years that had been my DH's. When she gave it to us it was gross. I did not love it and did not want it. I think she held onto it for herself, but was never able to admit that and then toss it when the time was right. So hold on what YOU want, but definitely recognize it's for you and not your kid to take back in 20 years when they maybe have a child.

100%

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:He's turning 14 this summer.

He said that he wants a "big boy" room now. His room decor has been the same since he was 9.

He's ready to donate his stuffed animals. He told me last night not to buy him anymore.

I COMPLETELY understand and respect his wishes.

And I feel sad. My firstborn son is growing up. I don't know why this brings me to tears.

I don't even know why I'm posting here -- just needed someplace to put this.

He’s 14 ffs

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your 13 year old said he wants a big boy room?

NP why is that hard to believe? My kids have asked for similar.

In those words?

There have been so many bots on the teen forum that I picked up on this too. I have 13 year olds and they would not say the words “I want a big boy/girl room now”. They have absolutely asked for room refreshes, etc. but they aren’t calling anything “big boy” or “big girl”.

Thank you! The Tweens and Teens forum
is so wacky lately.

OP here. To the PPs, my son absolutely used those words, and as I said before, what of it?! If anything’s wacky, it’s that THIS is your takeaway from my post. SMDH. You both are what’s wrong with the world today.

To everyone else, thank you for your kind words and suggestions.

Your son is a wus

[Anonymous]

Imma big kid now

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I hear you. My 15 year old still sleeps with his stuffy he’s had since he was 2. He hides it, and I keep wondering when he will give it up. I thought surely before high school. Maybe college. It will be a sad day for me too. It’s hard to see them grow up

Some never do. I had a good friend who dated a big burly Marine who still slept with a blankie in his 20s. He kept it under his pillow and it was in tatters. He would rub it in between his fingers to self soothe to fall asleep.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think you just have to throw them out. Donation places typically don’t have stuffed animals (bed begs, lice). I wouldn’t keep any. No teenager or young adult me wants his childhood stuffed animals. He might look at it at 21, when he graduates college and you send him the box of old stuff you still have of his, and think of it fondly, then it will get thrown away or kept on some box somewhere bc he feels guilty to throw it away but doesn’t really want it either. Just do him the favor now and toss it.

I regularly shop at thrift stores (eg, Unique, Good Will) and see stuffed animals there all the time. So it’s untrue that they don’t take and sell ones in good condition.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Parents can’t stop infantilizing their kids, it’s no wonder there are so many preteens who sleep with stuffed animals and can’t stay dry through the night. Do you still give him help taking a bath?

Go away and be hateful somewhere else.

FWIW, my brother is a successful scientist, athlete, husband and dad and all around normal good guy with many friends.

He brought his stuffed bunny to college with him, to his first apartment, and beyond. Still has it in a basket.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I hear you. My 15 year old still sleeps with his stuffy he’s had since he was 2. He hides it, and I keep wondering when he will give it up. I thought surely before high school. Maybe college. It will be a sad day for me too. It’s hard to see them grow up

We need some kind of PSA that tells teen boys it is ok to have stuff like this. Which it 100% is.

[Anonymous]

On our house many stuffed animals have personalities and long back stories. They are still discussed when the now young adults visit.

[Anonymous]

I am 57 and still have the pink dog I slept with n my crib.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Of course you're sad! We all bawled our eyes out at Toy Story 3! I would keep one or two. Put them away somewhere and let him grow up but have the sentimental thing for yourself, and maybe to give him when he has a kid.

Stuffed animals don't really hold up over decades. My MIL held onto a stuffed bear for years and years that had been my DH's. When she gave it to us it was gross. I did not love it and did not want it. I think she held onto it for herself, but was never able to admit that and then toss it when the time was right. So hold on what YOU want, but definitely recognize it's for you and not your kid to take back in 20 years when they maybe have a child.

100%

I think this is very person dependent. Your in laws did not save the toy for you...I hope you know that.

[Anonymous]

To the OP: you're a sweet mom! If your DS is ready for a big boy room, he's ready. I love when they come to us telling something has to go! Ask what he wants to do and if he's ready to donate his stuffies, do it. Go and drop them off together! Then ask what kind of other changes he wants in his room. Mine wanted to get rid of his stuffies and at the same time also his childish curtains and bedlinens!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hear you. My 15 year old still sleeps with his stuffy he’s had since he was 2. He hides it, and I keep wondering when he will give it up. I thought surely before high school. Maybe college. It will be a sad day for me too. It’s hard to see them grow up

We need some kind of PSA that tells teen boys it is ok to have stuff like this. Which it 100% is.

Agree, mom to 14 yo DS who still has some very loved stuffies