Security Blankets

[Clodfobble]

About a month ago, a friend of mine was noting how her two older daughters had had security blankets (or "lovees," or whatever you want to call that one item that a toddler gets attached to and must have with them at all times), in the form of a large stuffed bear and a small stuffed dog, respectively, but that her youngest, almost 2 years old, hasn't shown a preference for any particular thing. I concurred that Minifob was the same, no emotional attachment to any of his stuffed creatures.

I should have kept my mouth shut. Less than one week later, he chose his item, pictured below: my husband's (ex)hairbrush. I am not kidding. He picked it up off the counter one morning, threw a holy fit when I tried to get him to give it up, and two days later we concluded that Mr. Clodfobble would need to buy a new brush, because he wasn't getting this one back, ever. This brush comes with him to the table to eat, in the bath, and he won't go to bed without it. It has not been out of his hands for more than a few minutes in over three weeks now.

Tell me about your kids' beloved items--better yet, pictures!--and preferably the stranger ones, so I can feel better about my weird-ass kid.

[wolf]

I almost understand woobies, up until the age of 5 or so, after that, it's clearly an aberration.

I have a number of adult (usually female) patients that arrive with what the biz is called a "comfort object." They are more colloquially known as diagnostic criteria for Borderline Personality Disorder. (seriously, only the borderlines bring the things).

I do not know what to say about Mr. Hairbrush, especially given that it's more like the wire monkey, but without the food source.

Does Dadfobble use any hair care products with particularly distinctive scents? Maybe that's the attraction.

[Ibby]

My sister, 14, STILL has her 'blankie'. For about... 11 or 12 years, she literally could NOT sleep without that thing. At all. If you hid it, she would be up whining ALL night.

[SteveDallas]

You might read Owen, by Kevin Henkes (in the children's picture book section of your library or bookstore), dealing with a boy, his blanket, and separation therefrom. I don't think it'll be any help in your situation, Clod, but I enjoyed it.

My kids have never done that much. They have things they're attached to (some Build-a-Bears in the case of my daughter, a pillow in the case of my son), but not to the extent that they want to take it everywhere or get disturbed if they don't have it.

If Mrs. Dallas were here, she would doubtless suggest that I exhibit this behavior, with respect my ipod, or perhaps my need to have a book available to read at all times.

[Cloud]

Daughter No. 1 is still very fond of a Pound Puppy (stuffed dog) she got when she was about 4th grade and latched on to. That's too old for a traditional comfort object, and she's not obsessed with it--really she isn't!

She turns 30 in two weeks. Yikes!

[Clodfobble]

Oh I'm not worried about it long-term, I'm just a little perplexed by the object choice. I thought about the daddy-factor, wolf, but the brush was initially washed thoroughly once we realized it was going to be a favorite (had to get all the stray hair out, at the very least) and it's been in the bath with him every night since then. But the fact that it was his may definitely play a role.

A side note: He is sitting in the chair with me, thumbing through a board book while I read the Cellar on my laptop. As I was scrolling up to re-read something, he suddenly pointed at the screen and said "Berrr...", pointing at the picture in my post.

[Cloud]

as long as he's not sucking on it, I think it should be fine!

[glatt]

My brother was in 2nd grade or so when he latched onto a comb. Carried that thing with him everywhere (in his back pocket.) He used it as a weapon more than for grooming. Very effective at raising a welt on your arm. He could "slice" you with the teeth, and then shove it innocently back into his pocket, playing the angel when the parents would look over at us.

[Clodfobble]

Originally Posted by Cloud

as long as he's not sucking on it, I think it should be fine!

Why do you say that? He's not directly sucking on it, per se, but he's still at an age where everything goes in his mouth, and the end is pretty chewed up.

[binky]

my little brother had a blanket that he couldn't do without-he would sit on the laundry room floor while it got washed, then in the yard under the clothesline(holding onto a corner of it) while it dried LOL

[skysidhe]

Originally Posted by wolf

I almost understand woobies, up until the age of 5 or so, after that, it's clearly an aberration.

yeah, it shouldn't be a concern except I think 5 might be a little old for a security object. Keeping in mind each child has their own time table for development. The time frame wolf uses is huge and allows for any child to naturally drop those security objects.

[Flint]

Originally Posted by binky

...he would sit...in the yard under the clothesline(holding onto a corner of it) while it dried...

That's a really funny image. I can see the determined little look on his face, defying all consideration that his actions might be ridiculous.

[Spexxvet]

At least he didn't find your dildo. I feel so predictable....

[Clodfobble]

Originally Posted by Spexxvet

At least he didn't find your dildo.

I don't have a dildo.

But I do have a vibrator.

And yes, he's found it, more than once. He thinks it's great!

We really need to get a nightstand that locks.

[LabRat]

Is he still as attached to his 'lovey' Clod?

Re: hanging onto blankie while on the clothesline. Apparently I did that too, says my mom. I still have my blankie (kept in the closet, smartarses). In fact, I was able to convince my daughter to use it awhile back instead of hers one night my daughter's blankie got left at daycare.