Getting Child To Stop Sleeping With Parent - Parenting Issues Message Board

Samantha0783 · 10-29-2003, 09:53 AM

My little brother is 8 years old and still sleeps with my mother. I remember that I also had to sleep with my mom until I was 12 and my little brother was born, then I just kind of stopped. But until then, my father slept in one room and my mother and I in the other. Well now my brother has picked up the habit. I have tried and tried to talk my mom into working on this, but she just doesn't seem to worried about it. Being that he is a male I think it makes a bit of a difference than when I was little. (I am female) I think my brother may be a little afraid of the dark, he doesn't like going back to the bathroom when the hall light is off. Even when I am there and she is at work, he will typically lay in the same room as me until she gets home. I have moved off to college so can't really push the topic since I am really not there much. They also both sleep with the TV on. Any suggestions?

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~^~§amantha~^~

Want 2 B Well · 10-29-2003, 02:12 PM

I would say that since you are in college I would probably stay out of it.

The most you could do is talk to your brother (in private). Ask him if he is uncomfortable sleeping with mom. If he is then I would speak more indepth with him. Other than that I wouldn't worry.

Palms1 · 10-29-2003, 02:20 PM

I see nothing wrong with him sleeping in his Mom's bed if that gives him a sense of security. If he is afraid of the dark, why not just plug in some nightlights on the way to the bathroom. There will come a point where he will feel uncomfortable about it and his Mom then should respect his wishes. I hear it's the same way with showering etc., the point comes where kids don't want to be seen naked by their parents anymore and the kids usually are the ones who give that cue. So as long as both are comfortable with the sleeping arrangements, I would not worry.

Samantha0783 · 10-29-2003, 05:52 PM

Thanks for the replies. He is completely fine sleeping with her, it is kind of a security for him. I just don't want him ending up like I was. But I will kind of drop the issue now since it appears not to be a problem like I was thinking.

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~^~§amantha~^~

momof3mjt · 10-29-2003, 07:05 PM

I think you might be making something out of nothing. 8 yr old isn't too old to have mom there if that is the way they want it. He will know when the time is right to move on to his own room. As long as your mom, dad, and your brother are not having problems with this arrangement neither should you.

I would NOT talk to your brother in private about this. He is too young, and you might make him start thinking that there is something wrong with him...when he doesn't think anything is wrong. Leave it to your mom and enjoy college!