[luv_my_babes]

My family thinks that its 'weird' that I still co-sleep with my two children (ages 3 and 4). They tell me that they will grow up to be 'weird' and 'too attached' to me.

This isn't really a question post... more like a vent.

: I know in my heart that its the right thing for me to do. My kids are happy and well-adjusted, actually more so (if I may say) than my other two nephews.

Does anyone else co-sleep with their older children? Did you get 'looks' or comments from your family? How did you deal with it?

 

[mommy2two babes]

I co-sleep with both of my kids 2 & 4.
I try not to mention it too much to relatives I know will be unsupportive. ( not that I would hide it if they asked)

 

[cottonwood]

I sleep with my four-year-old on one side of me and my seven-year-old on the other side. My nine-year-old sleeps in the same room. My eleven-year-old only last year decided to move into his own room.

The idea mothers and children shouldn't be close and that you have to deny your natural bond in order to be "normal" has got to be one of the dumbest things I've ever heard. I just have to feel sorry for people who think this way, they've missed out on a lot of love and contentment and stolen it from their children. So really I could care less what anyone thinks about it.

 

[brooks97]

My inlaws didn't get it either, and up to a point, they still don't get it. After a couple of kids and they both sleeps in our room still, they kinda give up commenting about it. LOL! It's just that they have their own beliefs and don't what to think of co-sleeping and how to deal with privacy thing.

 

[luv_my_babes]

Thanks everyone

I'm glad to hear that i'm not the only one who is hassled about co-sleeping. I never 'bragged' or even really shared the fact that I co-sleep, esp with my inlaws. It was actually my 4 year old who said "I sleep with my mummy EVVVVERY NIGHT!!!".

 

[library lady]

In our house, our bed is open to all. We have a 19 mo, a 4.5 yo, and a 7 yo and at any given time you can find any or all of them in our bed. Nobody understands and we don't care. All of our kids have their own beds and they get to choose where they sleep at night. My 4 yo typically demands to sleep in the living room and our 7 yo is always in our room with the 19 mo. Any time it is brought up we simply say that they all have their own beds and their own space. Sleeping is not something we are going to fight about in our house.

 

[Gabe'sMummy]

I am not really an AP mama. Not much anyway (came here for advice on baby carriers).

So, firstly am sorry to gatecrash and secondy, I know what you mean about people judging co-sleeping. Saying that your DC will turn out 'spoilt'

I don't really co-sleep with DS unless he is poorly or generally unsettled in the night. He goes in his crib & is happy there for the most part. But for his morning nap we sometimes have it in the bed & it is the sweetest feeling to be cuddled up to your LO. My dp is very mainstream & thinks I am spoiling DS but I don't know how you can spoil a child with love...after all we all need a hug sometimes why are babies/children any different.

We all have our own opinions but if they are critisising your decision to co-sleep then that is wrong IMO. Whoever made up the rule that co-sleeping was bad and crib sleeping was better...it's all about what works for you and as long as you are not harming your child (which you arent) then whats their problem!

 

[flowers]

When I first had my son I was hyper sensitive to what others thought but know I don't even notice. We just moved both beds into our room so basically we have one big bedroom...literally! We love sleeping with our 1 and 4 year old.

I never bring it up to people unless it is to support someone who is looking for encouragement or if I'm in the mood and someone makes a boneheaded comment I might throw it out there that we are healthy educated people co-sleeping and feeling great about it.

Again, I don't even think about it. When family does ask when we'll stop I just kind of shrug it off and say, "When the time is right.....you know we're not wacky or anything."

 

[hedgewitch]

Doesn't everyone sleep with their kids? My ds has his own bed but goes to sleep in ours then returns later in the night/first thing in the morning. Can't imagine waking up any other way.

What makes other people think it is their business? Your beans are young, snuggle and enjoy!

 

[34me]

My 10 and 12 yo sons still sleep with me on occasion. And no, I don't tell my mother

.

 

[emski4379]

My 3 year old sleeps with us part of the night. If someone asks, we tell them, otherwise, it's none of their business.

 

[uumomma]

our older kids (7 and 9) come in anytime, i wake up most mornings with my 9year old in our bed, and of course our yearling is still with us. both dh and i love sharing sleep with our children.

my momster-in-law no longer asks coz the last time she did i told her to mhob...in not very nice words iykwim.

 

[mama.rye]

Just like with breastfeeding, I will answer the co-sleeping question the same way. When my in-laws ask "how long are you going to do THAT for" I answer (quite sincerely): "I'll probably stop when he's ready to go to college."

Mean, Judgemental people don't deserve my genuine response. They get a joke answer, which means: "I'm not telling you, and it's none of your business."

 

[KimPM]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mama.rye When my in-laws ask "how long are you going to do THAT for" I answer (quite sincerely): "I'll probably stop when he's ready to go to college."

Can I use that response? It's a good one!

 

[Embee]

My DS will be 8 in a few weeks, and we enjoy a family bedroom as well. DS actually starts out the night in our bed with DH, and when I come in later, I move him to his own bed (a mattress on the floor right next to our bed).

I keep these things in mind and share them with others if need be:

Quote:

Attachment fosters the process of maturity. Never underestimate the attachment needs of a child.

Thank you Gordon Neufeld - Hold On To Your Kids

I believe my Mom made comment one time, to which I replied, "Mom, no kids in our family slept alone!" We had six kids and three bedrooms... and all at some time or another lived alone as adults and to my knowledge, no one had trouble sleeping alone by then.

The best,
Em