I am concerned about this. He even went out to the car at 12 midnight to get his stuffed animal out, after getting home. Is this normal? He will be going to college in the fall.
2006-08-01 03:04:01 · 22 answers · asked by crystal11768 1 in Health ➔ Mental Health
There is nothing wrong with your step son. I think it is perfectly fine that he sleeps with his stuffed friend. I am a 33 year old male, married, and have a child, and have my own stuffed friends, one of which was given to me by my son and is proudly displayed in my car, along with the weeples my wife gave me.
I think society is too hung up on what being a "man" is and any man that shows qualities other than the sterotype is questioned and made fun of. As long as he is a good person, treats people right, does not hurt women, does not do drugs, and cares about life, then he is a perfectly good man.
Let him be. He will make the decision as to when it is time to put away his friend. I am sure that his stuffed buddy will always hold a place for him and will always be around should he need a friend. That stuffed animal has probably heard the best and worst your stepson has to offer and has traveled and helped him through many a rough time.
I think you should be happy that you have a 17 year old who has such a sensitive heart and is willing to be who he is without worrying what other think. Peace
2006-08-01 04:39:58 · answer #1 · answered by Raistliin 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I feel very passionate about this question. I will admit that I'm 42 and on many occassions still seek the comfort and security of my stuffed animals. I'm an animal fanatic and since I can't own a tiger, bear, bush baby, kaola bear, etc. I get the enjoyment of my stuffed pals. I'm not psychotic, and hun neither is your son. As someone else said, when he's ready he'll find another "security blanket" to substitute his stuffed pal. The answer about getting him psychiatric help, in my opinion, is a bunch of bunk. I also find it to be a very sensitive and adorable characteristic of your son's personality. O.K. when he gets to college the guys may tease him or think it's weird, but when he finds "true" friends they'll love his stuffed pal as much as they love and care about him. Who goes to college, work, or any where and doesn't get some kind of "ribbing" of some sort from others?? Again, I think it's a very endearing quality, and when I go to the hospital, Singoli, my bush baby, goes with me. I find it comforting, and honestly, I have never been made fun of or had my feelings hurt because of it. Actually it has been exactly the opposite. Everyone wants to know what a bush baby is, where they live, eat, sleep, etc. It's a great conversation starter, and your son will find the same attributes in the "good" people he meets and loves. Love your son for who he is, idiocyncriosies (sp) and all. Frankly, I'd love to meet him, and give him and his stuffed pal a hug. So I think he's just fine hun, and don't listen to the people who say stupid things about your son, he and his pal are very cool for expressing themselves without concern of other's. Good luck hun, I hope you get the answers that will help you in your time of confusion. God Bless you and your's;...
2006-08-01 03:23:07 · answer #2 · answered by gideonkiteon 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Let's put it in perspective. He doesn't do drugs. He doesn't have a sexually transmitted disease or a pregnant girlfriend. He doesn't make plans to smuggle a gun or bomb to school. He's not in a gang. He's actually HOME at 12 midnight. And he sleeps with a stuffed animal.
No, he's not normal. He's way above the norm! Don't worry about him. He'll be carrying his stuffed animal all the way to his office when he becomes CEO of Microsoft!
2006-08-01 03:13:58 · answer #3 · answered by Karen J 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
So what? If he is comfortable with his need to have this stuffed animal with him, who are you to intervene.
In view of the fact he is your stepson, plus the fact he is about to go to college, he may be feeling extremely insecure. Obviously he has lost one birth parent, so he may be still feeling a sense of loss over that. Leaving home and going to college is a HUGE life step to take and daunting for any adult to take, imagine how scary it must be for a teen. Leave him and his toy alone, eventually he will sort out for himself what he wants to do, especially in front of his peers at college. If you force him to give it up, you may cause more harm than good.
2006-08-01 03:20:01 · answer #4 · answered by arandbee 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would be concerned as well. I don't think you need anyone to tell you this is highly unusual behavior. I would call a social worker, or psychologist for some advice. There is something deeper going on here. Is the mother in the picture? What does his father think? Does he have any other strange behavior? Is he well adjusted socially? These are all things you can discuss with a professional.
2006-08-01 03:13:38 · answer #5 · answered by Incongruous 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hahaha.. I think it's adorable actually. Call me weird, but whatever. I'm a 19-year-old girl who has teddies, bunnies and whatnot on my bed.. why can't a guy? Sure it may seem weird to most people, but I agree with the first answerer. If that's all that concerns you, be grateful. Better toys than drugs, alcohol, and sleeping around with girls.
2006-08-01 03:10:12 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
who cares? Let him sleep with a stuffed animal. He'll get rid of it when he wants to. If this is all you are worried about with a 17 year old, then your life is great!!
2006-08-01 03:07:58 · answer #7 · answered by miketorse 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
unless its interfering with any aspects of his life...i wouldnt worry about it...it is refreshing that a teenage male is that sensitive in this day and age. if he is your stepson...there are some abandonment issues right there...its a safety thing in my opinion. when he is ready he will find a place for his stuffed animal
2006-08-01 05:59:04 · answer #8 · answered by karen 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is very unusual.
A lot of kids have crutches, such as sucking their thumbs or hauling a blanket around. Normal parents begin to wean them from these crutches around age 4 1/2 - 5 years old. Just before they begin school.
And parents and child are successful at it.
You as a parent failed to wean him. You allowed his dependency. He will be teased as hell in college, never fit in and may reach adulthood with the same 'fetish' (that's what it has become).
He will never be or feel socially accepted.
Than my dear is what you helped create in him.
2006-08-01 03:17:02 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Radar O'Riley slept with a Teddy Bear on Mash.
I'm not sure I'd worry about it, unless he has a lot of other strange-nesses to go along with it. Most "manly-men" I know have some odd little quirk like that. This may be his.
2006-08-01 03:15:55 · answer #10 · answered by kj 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋