“My Boyfriend Won’t Let Me Use My Baby Blanket Anymore And I Don’t Know What To Do”

The world is scary, so we all tend to find comfort in various places. From connections with people to substance abuse to certain items—to each their own. 

A woman from today’s story found comfort in a baby blanket from her childhood. Until, one day, her boyfriend decided to take it away, saying she needed to “wean off” of it. Yet, his action caused way more pain than good—both for the woman and their relationship. In fact, it caused her so much pain that she likely won’t ever forget such emotional abuse. 

More info: Reddit

We all have something that brings us comfort—whether it’s a person, an item, or anything else—to each their own

A soft baby blanket with colorful dots partially spread out on a textured surface.

Image credits: rawpixel.com / Freepik (not the actual photo)

The woman from today’s story found comfort in a baby blanket from her childhood

Woman upset as boyfriend takes baby blanket, essential for comfort and stress relief, saying she's too attached.

Text about a woman's boyfriend hiding her baby blanket, considering her too attached.

Text about a woman's emotional distress over her baby blanket, criticized as unhealthy reliance.

Text about emotional attachment to a baby blanket being dismissed; alternative suggestions denied.

Distraught woman questions her attachment to baby blanket after boyfriend takes it away.

Distraught woman on couch, man trying to comfort her after dispute over her baby blanket attachment.

Image credits: Drazen Zigic / Freepik (not the actual photo)

She liked to cuddle with it when she felt stressed or anxious, as its smell and texture calmed her down

[Text from a distraught woman explaining she’s not overly attached to her blanket, affirming her independence.]

Text discussing comfort found in using a baby blanket at night for better sleep and stress relief.

Text expressing emotional distress over losing a cherished childhood item without consent.

Text explaining an adult's view on holding a baby blanket as childish behavior.

Text detailing a woman's emotional distress over losing her baby blanket, with emphasis on attachment issues.

Woman looking distraught in a room with a man, dealing with attachment issues.

Image credits: Freepik / Freepik (not the actual photo)

Then, one day, her boyfriend decided to secretly take her blanket away

Text highlighting a woman's emotional distress after her boyfriend takes away her baby blanket.

Text discussing emotional reaction to losing personal items, referencing a blanket.

Text about finding a missing baby blanket.

Text on a white background discussing a woman upset over her boyfriend taking away her baby blanket.

Text update on worried parents advising re-evaluation of an emotional attachment in a relationship.

Distraught woman comforted by friends after losing her baby blanket.

Image credits: Freepik / Freepik (not the actual photo)

He didn’t like the fact that a grown woman was depending on such an item and wanted her to cut her habit out

Text detailing family reaction to a woman's distress over her baby blanket being taken away.

Text about a woman emotionally distraught after boyfriend takes her baby blanket.

Distraught woman recounts emotional turmoil after boyfriend discards beloved baby blanket, feeling hurt and dismissed.

Text update about feeling emotionally distraught after a baby blanket is taken away.

Text about a woman relieved to have her baby blanket returned after emotional distress.

Text discussing emotional recovery and attachment to a baby blanket after distress.

Image credits: itty_bitty_spidy

Instead of working, his action caused immense pain and grief for the woman to the point where her family had to interfere

Despite being 26 years old, the OP had a baby blanket that she liked to cuddle with ever since she was, well, a baby. She claimed that it calmed her stress and anxiety, as she found comfort in its smell and texture.

Well, she isn’t the only person in the world who has a comfort item—many people do. It’s their emotional anchor with nice memories and associations that make them feel at least a little bit better in this scary world. 

In fact, baby blankets quite often tend to be a choice for emotional support items grown-ups have. Apparently, these blankets are often given to kids during transitional periods, when they are being taught to accept the unfamiliar parts of life and the world. Or, in other words, when they are growing up. Since these blankets are used as a source of comfort, for some, they remain such even after a kid grows up.

The OP is one of these people. Yet, her boyfriend isn’t. In his opinion, her baby blanket is gross, and her habit of cuddling with it is too weird and childish. So, wanting to force her out of this habit, he decided to take her baby blanket and hide it, justifying the action as being for “her own good.”

Clearly, he was wrong, as nothing good came out of his decision. When the woman realized she couldn’t find her prized possession, she couldn’t stop crying, which was a normal reaction. Grieving over an object that you have an emotional attachment with, which she definitely did in this case, is understandable, even if it might seem trivial for some. 

The fact that her boyfriend dismissed her feelings and kept calling it an “unhealthy obsession” only made things worse. No matter how much she begged him to give her back her possessions, he didn’t—and he only kept encouraging her to “wean off” of the habit. 

Woman looking distraught, sitting outside in a yellow blouse, reflecting on her attachment to a baby blanket.

Image credits: Freepik / Freepik (not the actual photo)

The woman was so distraught over the loss that she didn’t have any motivation to do anything. Remember when we said that it’s common to grieve the loss of prized possessions? Well, a loss of purpose is one of the more ordinary signs of grief, proving just how attached the woman was to her blanket. 

Granted, she later clarified that her life doesn’t revolve around said blanket—she can function fine without it, but it used to give her comfort when she needed it. So, losing something like that took a toll on her. When she tried to explain that to her boyfriend, he brushed it off by saying something along the lines of, “Life sucks, deal with it.”  

At some point, the situation got so bad that the OP’s parents got involved. They were extremely worried about her and asked her to reevaluate her relationship—leave him, but it would be best to do it slowly so he doesn’t freak out. Being so dismissive of a partner’s feelings of such a strong nature because of your silly principles can count as emotional abuse. 

After some time, the man ended up giving the baby blanket back. Yet, that didn’t change the fact that the experience borderline traumatized his girlfriend. After all, she was not only grieving a prized possession but was also learning how negligent her significant other was—and that’s a lot to handle at once. 

At least the netizens were empathetic towards her, which, throughout the continuous updates, was probably a saving grace for her. It’s always nice to learn that someone is on your side, isn’t it? 

Whose side of this debate are you on? Share your take with us in the comments!

In the end, he gave the blanket back to her, but the damage was already done, and in the netizens’ eyes, this damage shouldn’t be forgiven

Screenshot of a comment advising a woman to leave a bully, related to an emotionally distraught situation.

Text comment about a baby blanket, expressing emotional distress over its loss.

Comment criticizing partner's control over woman's attachment to her baby blanket.

Online comment defending a woman emotionally distraught over her baby blanket taken by boyfriend.

Text screenshot discussing advice on getting a baby blanket back from a boyfriend.

Text describing a response where a woman is advised to retaliate after her baby blanket was taken by her boyfriend.

Text discussing emotional attachment to a baby blanket and the boyfriend's controlling behavior.

Comment criticizing boyfriend's actions around woman's attachment to baby blanket.

A comment advising a woman on stress relief regarding her baby blanket and expressing frustration over controlling behavior.

Psychologists affirm emotional attachment to childhood items like baby blankets is normal and deserves respect.

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