We need to talk about Hotty…

I’m currently sat in my bed. I’ve just got back from work and I’m thinking about the article I’m going to write. I’m feeling pretty tired and before I know it I’m reaching under my duvet and pulling out Hotty.

Hotty is what is defined as a ‘comfort toy’: a toy (though it’s not always such) that we become attached to as children, sometimes to the extent that we could not sleep without them.

Suddenly I thought to myself: I’m 23 and I still sleep with a goddam toy? 

I’ve had Hotty all my life. Technically it’s not a toy but actually a hot water bottle cover in the shape of a pink dog.

No one can remember who gave it to me and it has no label to distinguish where it came from, and yet it’s still in my life.

I don’t even remember being that attached to it when I was younger (a blanket named Beddy – real original with the names I know! – took main role of comfort), but Beddy was destroyed slowly but surely – as with most comforts as they’re taken EVERYWHERE – and somewhere between the ages of 8-10 Hotty filled the role. 

The trouble with comfort toys is, when I move out, do I take it with me?

Or do I leave it behind? I chose to take Hotty with me, but hide it every time anyone – particularly someone I took a fancy to – came into my room. I tell you, I’ve done some fantastic throws. Poor Hotty: quickly snatched and hidden underneath the bed with the English literature I hadn’t read.

But the more I came to live with other people, it became obvious that I wasn’t alone.

Some perhaps not as big as Hotty (thus more easily concealed), but comfort toys all the same. In fact, the last time I did the old ‘stash and hide’, the person realised and admitted that they had one too. According to a survey by Travelodge, 35% of British adults still sleep with some form of comfort toy.

But are we too old for them?

I mean, where does it stop? 

Will I still have Hotty by my side at the old people’s home that I will inevitably end up in? (Hopefully one where you can smoke inside and red wine is on tap).

(Image via)

What do we need so much comfort for anyway?

I guess I always had in my mind that when I got married (or just had the same partner for a long period of time), Hotty would no longer be needed. But that seems a little contrived… What am I gonna do – have a ceremonial burning of the toy after the wedding cake?

Don’t worry  Beth, you’re married now, you don’t need a toy to comfort you…

So what do you think? Is there a limit on how long you can justify cuddling Hotty/Beddy or Teddy as you slowly drift off to the land of nod?

Let me know your thoughts…

If you enjoyed this article, why not check out ‘Why it’s best to know your friends now, you know before the Zombie Apocalypse‘?

Tags: childhood comfort toy growing up Joy

Categories: a little piece of joy Beth Teverson