Recently he found it in the toy box and now for like 3 weeks he carries it around like it is a baby. Feeds it , make sure it goes to daycare with a blanket. Has to go to bed with it. Its a lamb stuffed animal. Should I be concerned?
2007-10-09 03:32:42 · 15 answers · asked by hug23 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
It's fine. However, if it bothers you, tell him that he can play with it at home only. It's weird that it has to go to daycare with him. Or, if even being obsessed with it at home bothers you, then make the rule that it can only be in his bed. I'm not sure how old your son is, but from your description, I would guess 3 or close to 3? At this point, you don't want him getting attached to it because he'll end up getting made fun of at school, as terrible as that is. I'd nip it now.
2007-10-09 04:34:21 · answer #1 · answered by Sit'nTeach'nNanny 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This may sound strange, but he's actually giving you a compliment. Your son is acting out (mimic) the behavior of his favorite person...You!
It's also part security blanket and part imaginary friend. It's also a chance to really watch his imagination soar. My son (age 4) has a stuffed dog that goes just about everywhere he does. He had to let it go when he started Preschool as they don't allow outside toys. So the dog stays in the car and he can have it back after school.
You talk about feeding it. My son ordered doggie biscuits from the drive up window at McDonald's the other day. We were getting a couple of drinks and cup of fruit to snack on, and he insisted on ordering for himself (at the top of his lungs I might add). The general manager is his Great Aunt, so they're used to him placing his order. But he's never ordered doggie biscuits before. He got two. I was laughing too hard to object.
I do agree though, go buy a couple of those lambs if you can and hide them in your closet. You may need it before too long.
2007-10-09 05:38:26 · answer #2 · answered by jenn_jenn02 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not at all. He's grown attatched. It's like a little friend for him. It's security- something that he can have with him at all times. Him feeding it and taking care of it shows that he understands the relationship of people caring for those smaller than themselves.
I have a stuffed dog that I've had for almost 22 years now (I got her when I was 6 months old) and I used to take that puppy with me EVERYWHERE, and I couldn't sleep if she wasn't in bed with me. It's really a normal thing for comfort for little kids.
2007-10-09 03:38:22 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Usually in the first 5 to 18 months of age, children may grow attached to a primary transitional object. The object could be a blanket, toy, teddy bear, bottle or other such similar article. The attachment is direct and not passive. The child’s feelings for mom spills over into the object which is used for self soothing and to reduce anxiety. Transitional objects act as a substitute, and bridge the representation of mom. For example - A child my curl up in mom's rocking chair when she is not in the room for self comfort. This also an indication of a growing awareness that the child is separate from external objects and is an individual. Is shows growth and development in a young child. My daughter had several such objects all she gave names to she had a lamb at one time also. She doesn't play with it much anymore she named it "lovey lamb". So good luck with your lamb we still love ours :)
2007-10-09 04:01:45 · answer #4 · answered by Mel_Luc 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Let him be, it is normal. Most kids have something they hold on to for security. Blankets, there Binky's or Pacies, stuffed animals, dolls etc. Your child is right where he should be! That's all part of growing, learning & developing to be there own person. You at least know he has a loving, compassionate & caring side already!
2007-10-09 03:36:28 · answer #5 · answered by char__c is a good cooker 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Nope ... I did the same and sadly enough I'm 20 and I still have my stuffed bunny from childhood.
Every child goes threw this stage. My 5 year old niece is just starting to grow out of carrying her baby doll around with her .. I kinda miss having to feed it and tuck it in too lol
2007-10-09 03:50:59 · answer #6 · answered by Holly Cookie Starr 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not really, all it is is a comforting tool for him. Most kids, it's a blanket, mine son has his "Bear Bear" whom he's has by his side since he was 5 months old. You could try getting him interested in more "Big Kid" toys, and try to hide the stuffed animal.
2007-10-09 04:00:35 · answer #7 · answered by tammy c 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In my opinion as a 14 year old, it is perfectly normal for a child of such age to play with a doll no matter what the gender. The mother seems to have very firm and tense convictions towards gay people. Although I see nothing wrong with playing with dolls because of a child's gender I do suggest you take them away when near your in laws, in order to prevent any sort of verbal argument. No offense but they seem to be very old fashioned.
2016-03-19 08:32:08 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You said “Toddler?”
To me that means around 18 months to 3 years. No, I don’t think that it’s a problem even up to the age of 4 years.
My 26 year old daughter had one of those dolls whose eyes close automatically when you lay it down and says, “Mah-Mah,” when you squeeze its tummy. She dragged that doll everywhere; from home to day care to church, EVERYWHERE!
Mercifully, the doll finally disintegrated within 4 years and she moved on to toys that were more technical in nature such as Lego blocks, but not before we had a burial ceremony for the doll’s remains. She’s now got her Masters Degree in English and Spanish, is a writer and a teacher, married, well-adjusted, assertive, and, NORMAL.
I think that kids cling to stuffed animals and dolls because they are plunged into a world where everything is way to big for them. In other words, they identify with the size of the animal/doll. Coupled with children’s innate need to care for and love something, the stuffed animal/doll is a perfect companion for them to practice and imitate all the things they see their parents and adult mentors doing to/for them and others.
Further on the size thing, I remember that toilets were terrifying for my son at age 22 months. Poor guy, he thought he was going to fall in and never see the light of day again. Eventually, the small porta-potty saved the day! It was just a real pain to include this in the “Travel Locker” of items for the maintenance, wellbeing, and feeding of my son.
My son is now 16 years old, extremely handsome, and is a high school rodeo champion in the great state of Virginia. As far as being normal, is it normal to want to climb on to the back of a crazed bovine whose testicles have been cinched up to his nose and whose only want in life is to stomp and gore you into the next existence? This may just be a rhetorical question…
Good Luck to you and may God Bless your little one…!
2007-10-09 04:00:16 · answer #9 · answered by David Leonard Vega 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is his transitional object. It is very normal, healthy developmental behaviour. It shows he's learning to comfort himself without relying on you. Very normal. The fact that he's feeding it and taking care of it shows empathy. Healthy behaviours.
2007-10-09 03:38:36 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋