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My wife and I began second-guessing ourselves, as I suspect most parents do. Is our daughter emotionally ready to be away from us for four hours each day? Did we start her in school too soon? But after a week, we realized our concerns were unfounded, and she was doing great! Playing ‘Where’s the Water Bottle?’ A study published in 2016 found between 60 and 70 percent of children in the United States and the United Kingdom have some transitional object. 2
Is it strange that she chose a water bottle, not a blanket or stuffed animal? Sure. But it seems like a simple compromise to make as Adley continues her transition into a new environment. Experts say the attachment to these objects intensifies around three and usually begins to wain within a year or two. But it can continue into the later stages of childhood, which isn’t bad. 4 Researchers and scientists refer to these as transitional objects. Usually, they take the form of a blanket or stuffed animal (like Chippy), but they can be almost anything, including Adley’s water bottle. In 2017, the Build-A-Bear Workshop commissioned a study of 2,000 adults, and more than half said they still have their childhood stuffy. Nearly one-third of those surveyed said comfort was the first thing they considered when picturing it. 1 We all have a favorite stuffed animal from our childhood. Mine was Chippy, a stuffed chipmunk (no one accused me of being creative with my names). Chippy occupied my bed far longer than I care to admit. I remember being seven or eight and thinking, “I’m too old to sleep with a stuffed animal.” But my bed seemed strange if he wasn’t lying close by.Initially, I felt strange sharing all these details about a childhood memento. I mean, who remembers so much about a stuffed animal? It turns out plenty of adults are in the same boat. Many Adults Have Their Childhood Stuffed Animal Another study suggests a child’s strong attachment to a transitional object can indicate a strong bond with a parent and overall happiness. 4 I began my research, unsure of what I would find. But now I’m convinced Adley’s attachment to her water bottle is not only completely normal but also a sign of happiness and growth. It’s also a natural sign of development and a coping mechanism to fight separation anxiety.
Now, as a dad in my mid-30s, I’m watching it happen all over again from a completely different perspective, that of my 2-year-old daughter, Adley. She started preschool for the first time in January. The first few days of drop-off were difficult, which we anticipated, but it didn’t make it any easier.This concludes it can lead to strong connections between parents and their children. Attachment is a Good Thing It was like a “Where’s Waldo” book trying to identify the location of the water bottle in each picture. But then I began to wonder why she never put it down. Is this normal? Is this healthy? It turns out the answer to both these questions is yes. Transitional Objects Are Common