Lily appeared, wearing her nightclothes, in the doorway…
““Lily appeared, wearing her nightclothes, in the doorway. She gave an impatient sigh. 'This is certainly a very LONG private conversation,' she said. 'And there are certain people waiting for their comfort object.' Lily,' her mother said fondly, 'you're very close to being an Eight, and when you're an Eight, your comfort object will be taken away. It will be recycled to the younger children. You should be starting to go off to sleep without it.' But her father had already gone to the shelf and taken down the stuffed elephant which was kept there. Many of the comfort objects, like Lily's, were soft, stuffed, imaginary creatures. Jonas's had been called a bear. Here you are, Lily-billy,' he said. 'I'll come help you remove your hair ribbons.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A child is urged to outgrow reliance on a comfort object as part of growing up and gaining independence.
In simple terms: Kids must learn to sleep without a security blanket.
Key Takeaway
Encourage self‑reliance early.
Themes
growth
independence
comfort objects
family dynamics
Mood
reflective
empathetic
Type
advice
parenting
When to use this quote
- parental guidance
- nighttime routines
- transitions to school
- emotional regulation
Key Concepts
attachment theory
developmental psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- How can parents balance comfort and independence?
- What alternatives support a child’s transition?
A Different Perspective
Comfort objects can be essential for emotional security, making abrupt removal stressful.