M- I know adults who still sleep with a "comfort" item (blankie, stuffed animal, favorite pillow, etc.!), so perhaps some people don't ever really outgrow the need for something that makes them feel secure and soothed? 

Children, especially, latch onto items that sooth and comfort them and, as long as the items don't interfere to the point of distraction, or present some sort of danger to the child or others around them, I would say that they should be allowed to hold onto the item(s) if it/they help to put the child at ease and decrease their anxiety.  That's just my opinion, but I would imagine that even psychologists might be able to cite examples/reasons about security items being more of a positive than a negative. 

I wouldn't subject a child to needless stress by making a big deal out of their attachment to a security item (you might end up creating a new problem!).  IMO, the majority of children seem to gradually and eventually "outgrow" their dependence on their blankie (or whatever), and decide for themselves as to when the blankie can be "retired"- kind of like a rite of passage into the next stage of their development. After all, you don't see many college students carrying their blankies with them to the stage when they receive their diplomas at graduation! :-)  

And, at the point where the child decides that their item is no longer needed for their own use, perhaps you can suggest that they donate it to a charity, so that some other young child might also be able to enjoy the item.  That way, they might feel better knowing that another child will be able to "love" the item as they did, and it is not merely being thrown in the garbage.  Just a thought!     

Thanks Lucy!  Good points!  From what I gather the 'blankie' doesn't interfere with things; he just has to leave them at home or in the car (if he wants to bring one).  I agree that it is ok for him to have something to hold on to, to help ease stress or whatever.  It isn't made a huge deal about it with him at home, but know the parents don't want them around anymore.  They don't tell him that and they wont take it away, but let some comments from other siblings slide through (and agree with them).  You're right about not adding stress to their lives by making a big deal of things.  Thanks for the suggestion of doing something with the blankets (ie charity) rather than just throwing them away in the trash.  Good idea; I'll have to mention that to his mom.

Melissa.

Great points, lucylamb.  I had my favorite stuffed animal at that age...a pink hippo!  I remember the eye fell off and my grandma sewed on something that didn't quite look the same, but I kept loving her anyway!  I think I slowly outgrew Cutie Pie over the next few years :)

Tough to bring it to first grade! My neighbor told her daughter that she HAD to give up her "binkie" when she turned 6. And boy was she stressed out crying etc over this shredded up thing! So I told her that we would put it away for safe keeping. We elaboratley wrapped it up with all the dignitly and grandeur of a royal event. We had "special" tissue paper and a grand gold box. We carried it to "our spot" in my storage area, lovingly set it down, said a "few words" etc. I told her she could come and visit her friend whenever she wanted. She did the next day. We opened it up, touched it, hugged it and put it back. She never gave it another thought until  her first child was born and I gave it back to her with another new blanket. She is now over 50 and we have sweet memories of the events!