Husband upset me by dismissing son's imaginary friend

Hey alike fam, could use some advice. This morning I was playing with my son and he told me his stuffed animal wanted a hug. My husband happened to be walking by and he said to our son “(stuffed animals name) isn’t real. It doesn’t want anything.” And my son just looked down and I immediately said to my husband “why would you say that?” And he got upset because he felt like I was getting after him first thing in the morning. Our son is 4 years old and it’s not uncommon for kids his age to humanize stuffed animals and have imaginary friends. To me it felt like he was bullying his son and it triggered me because when I was a kid I was told all the time that I was stupid for having imaginary friends and talking to my stuffed animals. It just seemed like unnecessary aggression but now my husbands upset with me and I’m angry at him. Have any advice?

Your answer

AstraDragon

1y ago

So I'm an adult and I carry a stuffed animal wherever I go. Studies show that carrying a stuffed animal or personal item greatly reduces stress and anxiety. There is no shame in having a favorite stuffed animal and taking it places.

Ms.Piggie

1y ago

that’s great to hear! I still sleep with my teddy bear from 19 years ago. It gives me so much comfort.

depressedunicorn

1y ago

I agree with you that was messed up of your husband to say!

Ms.Piggie

1y ago

thank you! I really appreciate the validation 💕

Skipeople

1y ago

I agree that that was wrong. It was unnecessarily mean to your son when he is playing pretend and honestly, could have been projecting that he wanted a hug too. I would definitely try to talk with your husband about it, but he may just start arguing back. I obviously don't know him, so . . . Yeah. I'd try to explain that he's just a kid and that it wasn't funny what he did.

Ms.Piggie

1y ago

I will admit I did get too aggressive too fast. He has a lot of trauma involved with expressing his emotions. He would often get in trouble for his emotions and be told he was wrong for experiencing them. It’s hard to explain things from an emotional side to him.

Snoose

1y ago

I have no advice :( but girl I’m here to validate you being angry at him.

Ms.Piggie

1y ago

thanks I really appreciate that. It’s hard to feel like the things I’m angry about are valid. I get told a lot that I’m overreacting :(

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