Our friends have let their child sleep with them since birth and he's now five years old. This seems so wrong! They now have another child on the way. They say they don't mind him being there, but won't he eventually be teased for sleeping with his parents? At what age is this inappropriate?
2007-12-15 13:04:57 · 27 answers · asked by Kittykat24 4 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Grade-Schooler
What could possibly be wrong with that? Try to search for just one reason which has nothing to do with "appropriate". To my opinion children can sleep with their parents until either the child or the parent starts to feel uncomfortable about it.
2007-12-15 17:52:15 · answer #1 · answered by john c 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As long as everyone is comfortable & happy with the sleeping arrangements, then there is no reason why they should not sleep wherever and with whoever they want to sleep.
Why would it be inappropriate?
Why would it matter if he was teased for it? Should we all stop doing what makes us happy & comfortable in order to appease mean people?
edit... I just went back & read the other answers & am smiling, but shaking my head sadly for the people wondering how they got pregnant when their child was sleeping in their bed. What a boring sex life that must be - the one confined to marital bed only, probably only after dark. You would be surprised how much fun it is to have to get a little creative sometimes ;-)
2007-12-15 15:13:25 · answer #2 · answered by Maureen 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Co-sleeping is a custom that some cultures have and some people believe that it is good for family bonding (ie the book The Family Bed.)
I would certainly mind my own business on this one. There is no harm to it, provided they leave the roon to have sex, and he is not too old.
I would say that by the time he is due to hit pre-puberty (age 8 or 9) he should no longer be sleeping there.
But really, it's there choice and there is nothing wrong with it.
2007-12-15 14:02:06 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
You said they are expecting another baby. If the parents are planning on co-sleeping with their new baby, are they planning on sleeping with their older child as well? If not, then it would probably be best to have him in his own bed now so that he gets used to it and isn't replaced by the baby. Maybe, on the other hand, they plan on sleeping with their older child and letting the baby sleep in a bassinet near their bed. Either way, I think that sleeping with a child in an adults bed should end with weaning. Except of course for bad dreams or thunder storms and such.
2007-12-15 13:19:26 · answer #4 · answered by rainwriterm 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In my personal opinion... that is a matter that is a personal choice for the family. As long as they are not having sex in the bed with the kid in there it is not a big. I would not want my 5 year old in my bed every night - but that is just me - I like to have sex occasionally and I also don't like feeling cramped up. The kid will go to his own bed at some point, especially if he gets teased - but I don't see him going to school and announcing to his classmates that he does so. I have one that is almost 4. I do let him sleep with us if he is sick or something... or when he was sad because grandma was in the hospital... but I hate it because he kicks me... not because there is anything "wrong" with a family snuggle.
2007-12-15 14:48:09 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
This country is so hung up on co-sleeping. As long as they aren't having sex with the child in the bed they are doing nothing wrong! If it's a king size they can all fit. Our kids all slept with us and none are emotionally stunted, too clingy, or in any other way damaged. Especially when you're breastfeeding it's easier to co sleep. He'll move out eventually. I've never heard of a teenager still sleeping with mom and dad so lighten up!
2007-12-15 13:26:53 · answer #6 · answered by Teresa H 3 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Well, it's really none of your business.
My 6 year old goes to sleep in his own room every night, but about half the time will sneak into my bed in the middle of the night. I don't mind, as long as he doesn't wake me up. He stays on his side, I stay on mine (and sometimes a dog's at the end of the bed) and nothing inappropriate happens.
Before I actually had a kid, I used to think it was really wrong when I heard of other people's kids sleeping in their beds, too.
2007-12-15 14:59:25 · answer #7 · answered by Driver 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
For an every night thing, I'd say it was time to start getting him used to his own bed.
But there are valid reasons why they may still sleep with thier parents, even to an older age.
My niece is 9 & lives with me. She has her own room and uses it. But she is terrified of storms. When it is storming, I'll often wake up to find that she has crawled into bed with me.
I don't have a problem with that, as long as she doesn't hog all of the covers.
2007-12-16 11:57:22 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it is up to the parent to decide what is appropriate for their child.
My 6 year old sleeps in her own bed school nights, but on weekends, they are special, and she a lot of the times will stay up late, and we fall asleep in the bed, watching cartoons.
I see nothing wrong with that.
2007-12-15 16:10:30 · answer #9 · answered by gogirl 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Growing up I had several friends who were the same way. When their next child comes, they will probably realize with two children in the bed that they need to change their system. Aside from that, since it doesn't really affect you, you should probably just let it go.
2007-12-16 05:03:30 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋