Is it odd that my girlfriend allows her 9yr old son

[carmella]

to sleep in her room when he awakes from a "bad" dream ? It happens like 3 nights a week.He sleeps on the ground next to her bed. When I spend the night now he knows not to come in, but is she just incouraging this behavior by allowing it on the other nights ? OR is this normal and I'm the odd one ?

[Heidi W]

It is normal, but she should wean him off the habit soon.

[mymaria281]

To me, 9 seems a little old. He should be working through the bad dreams on his own. She should try weaning him of this habit and the sooner the better!

[***pretty momma***]

Yes it is very normal. Some parents even allow their kids to crawl in the bed between them. My parents did when I was young because I loved scary movies but it led to some intense nightmares. My toddler crawls in the bed once in a while too.

[Eric W]

nope it's normal. and since he's 9 i would also tell him 2 sleep on the floor instead of in bed with me because he's getting older. but yes it's normal many people do it.

[moose]

That's weird. tell her to cut the umbilical cord already.

[angekfro]

Mayby this is a bais answer because I am a woman, but this is totally natural and it is somewhat essential for the child. The mother child relationship is very important to establish because it helps them later in life cope with certain social situations. If the relationship is good that child will grow up and be more clam and understanding in most situations and will become equipped socailly. However there is a fine line between becoming socially equipped and becomeing a momma's boy who can't do anything with out his or her mom. So I think that it is good that she does let her child sleep with her when you are not there and I think it is good that she doesn't let him when you are there because it sets some boundaries and will let the child learn how to deal with situations on his or her own. However do not be mean to the child if he or she doesn't comply just comfort the child if they cannot sleep and tell them that your guys' door is open so that he or she feels safe but stays in thier own room.

[Glenna]

That's her son. Why would it be odd? I can remember being 11 and 12 years old and still crying for my mom if I had a really scary bad dream.....

[huskergo]

My son is 9 and has these bad dreams and will want to sleep on the couch. But it isn't consistent, and when a bad dream comes up he will do it whether company is there or not. Because of what you have described, I feel that it is becoming a habit and comfort issue for the boy. She is encouraging the behavior and possibly the bad dreams when he is sleeping by himself because he wants to sleep with her so bad. She needs to start asking him about these dreams and trying to determine what is causing them. If there are no bad dreams, but just a story made up to sleep in Mom's room, then she's going to have to be strong and say NO. We told our son that that is why he has a bed...to sleep in it.

[mango_ie]

no its not odd but maybe when he wakes she should cuddle him and then start putting him back in his own bed dont expect him to go on his own she will need to tuck him in and reasure him its all ok then he will get used to staying in his own bed