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14 And Still Sleeping With Nanny

by Sue
(England, Kent)

My grand child is 14, she has no mum or dad and has been in a rough childhood and has suffered abuse and neglect.. She has to sleep with me and no body else. Every night is the same. This has been going on since she was 6 and she isn't coping too well with it as she is unable to go to any sleepovers.


Could this be because of her insecure past or because she's 14, a teenager and can't sleep on her own possibly lead to mental issues?

Comments for 14 And Still Sleeping With Nanny

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Aug 22, 2011
 Security issues
by: Hawkmoon

I believe it is due to fact that she doesn't feel secure without her nanny due to problematic childhood. And sleep time requires feelings of security and sefety above all. My suggestion would be to try to slowly increase distance between you and her during sleeping. I would consider putting second bed in your room if possible and have her sleep her next to you but not in same bed. If that works well, next step would be to increase distance, maybe by putting bed in room next to yours, etc. Also, do you go to bed at the same time? Increasing the time difference between your and hers going to bed can also be helpful.
Aug 22, 2011
 thanks
by: sue

Thankyou for your help and yes we do go to bed at the same time.
Nov 28, 2012
 your a great gram!! NEW
by: Anonymous

She needs this comfort to counter balance the lack of control in her life to help herself from abuse she may have a need to speak of fears fears of abusers taking her while she sleeps? nightmares? talk to her really really talk
Aug 23, 2014
 Yep NEW
by: Chellie

I think its normal, given her childhood. It shows that you're someone she can trust. Maybe she's afraid of losing you because her mom and dad are gone?

I will be honest and say that I'm 18, will be 19 next month, and I still drag my mom upstairs to sleep with me.. only sometimes. Ive had a super stressed and emotional chilhood, and have very very frequent intense nightmares that only happen when I'm alone. So its probably more understandable for her than it is for me, lol.

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