How old is too old for your child to sleep in bed with you? Expert advice for parents

Does your child sleep in bed with you? If so, are they too old to be doing it? Actress Alicia Silverstone unapologetically said during an interview that her 11-year-old son still co-sleeps with her.

Is this behavior dangerous or hindering development? In this week's Mom Squad, 3News' Maureen Kyle talks with Dr. Carolyn Ievers-Landis about children sleeping in their parents' bed and asked if it's an indication of separation anxiety and what parents should do about it.

[kashlegend]

I think it’s only a American thing, being poor back in Asia we all sleep on the floor with my brother sister and parents, and now my brother and sister are hard worker in America

[baileymoran]

I don’t ever remember sleeping in my parents bed and neither does my mom. They had an air mattress in their room that I’d use when sick until I was like 7 or 8, maybe. I had health issues that were a lot for a small child, and I was an only child. When I would be sick enough that I was likely going to the ER in the morning, it was nice knowing someone was in the room with me. I can’t say all kids will need or benefit from that option, but it’s good to have as an option. I also never abused it. If I was fine, I wanted to sleep in my own room. If I was scared of a bad dream or a noise, I would wake up my mom and she would reassure me, and I’d go back to my room. It wasn’t traumatic to sleep in my room. I’m sure o cried as a baby at first, like most kids, but it had zero long term affects on me. Not every unpleasant experience is a trauma, and kids will get upset over things at some point. It’s actually important that they experience healthy things that they may not want to do for their benefit, so every little upset doesn’t become traumatic to them as adults. That 11 year old boy is going to struggle with his independence when he leaves the house for college, or realistically at damn near 30 when mom finally gets tired of having a baby.

[greghayes]

What if it is the parent that has the problem, making excuses as to why it should be ok? I am beginning to question the potential of having a relationship with a woman who insists that 9 year old daughter who has never had her own bed, will accept change virtually overnight.

[youtuber]

we learned FACT vs OPINION in elementary school

[slayroc]

It's 1 thing to do it because it's necessary or if it's a cultural norm due poverty or the family will all be in the same house for a lifetime. But when you expect your children to move on and succeed in life in a place where they're babied by society until they're 18 and mental health issues, not actual mental health, are popular, it makes the children weak and dependent adults

[Platinum_SpikeCODM]

Its so annoying that 4pm or 3pm my mom sleeps me too early but i need help for me so how to stop them saying that im sleeping too early

[corbie-lynnworth]

There doesn't have to be underlying issues if your child sleeps in your bed as an adolescent or even teen. My son has slept primarily in his bed since he was 6. However up to about 8 yr he would probably end up in my bed 4 out 7 nights halfway thru the night when he wake up... He's now 15, & maybe 1 or 2xs a month he will fall asleep in my room watching a movie or wake up around 6am and come in and fall back asleep... & he's perfectly fine!

[Nirharsha]

Now I'm 18 and still sleeping with my mom and dad
...is it normal.?

[DemonKingNemo]

Previous comment aside, my son is turing 5 in May. Hes getting his own room this weeknend (long story short, i get him everg other Thursday-Sunday and im booting my roommate to the basement, was the agreement 2.5 years ago and is now coming)
My son and i sleep together and ive talked to him about him having his own room. He seems excited which is great. I feel im more sad to not have him to wake up too than he is anxious about switching.
But i feel when it hits hell feel different. I told him he can come in whenever he feels the need to.

I didnt do this as a kid. My parents (seperated) didnt want me in their bed and i had no desire to he in their bed.
But idk. I never have time with him and it may sound silly but even though we snuggle for 3 sexonds before we give each other the finger and go our seperate ways on the mattress, , ....idk. im without him right now because hes at his mothers. And im sad. And soon hell be here, , and at this time on that day, , ill feel him missing even when hes here.

It sounds stupid. But this is really hard 😢😢

[mavihsmavihs-kn]

Western views and thinking are different, we in india dont have dirty mind so we can sleep with mom and even with sister and its normal for us

[OZMus]

I really love what she said about accommodating the behavior and not allowing your child to self soothe. My daughter will be 7 in November and still co sleeps with nanny which insists the behavior with everyone else she stays with encouraging continuance. Her temper flares up to rage levels and it's difficult to sooth her to calm before bed without sleeping beside her for at least a short amount of time while she falls asleep. I think it would encourage coping mechanism and individuation later in life as well based on my educating in the social services human development.

[princeadrianlamar]

I'm eleven and I'm crying because my mom is at the other room and I'm alone😢

[gemmiefy]

in asian culture co sleeping is very common ❤❤

[dhananjaibareth]

Well look at my case.
11 yrs of fmarrisge, 10 yrs of daughter sleeping in between since birth xause it's a boundary created by my wife...
But now I understood word to define my wife - NArcist.
Took me years to understand, complained. Fight over, tried my others suggestion but finally after 11 years this article cleared up my mind.
Co-sleeping with narcist....
ReL eye opener....😅😢

[markcottierkw]

Well this news lady clearly has no idea!! Giving the wrong information can be detrimental to a childs health!! 😡😡😡

[sarahwashere]

I slept in my moms until 12 chat am I cooked 😔

[CameronsCandorOriginal]

You will seriously and drastically impact a child's development if you are still sleeping with them past the ages of 6-8. Children should be sleeping on their own after these ages. You cause serious emotional dependencies among several other physiological development issues.

[Floweryphoenix]

Im 13 and i have bad anxiety so i sleep with my grandma