DO you have a cherished item from your childhood days which you still take with you no matter what?
For some people, it’s their first-ever blanket – and one person who certainly can’t seem to separate from his is Alana Puawai’s hubby.
According to the wife, her 36-year-old partner is so obsessed his his blanket, she even lovingly calls him a ”blankie kid”.
The stay-at-home mum, who has four kids, said that the light-coloured bed essential has ”always been there” ever since the two started the relationship.
Throughout the three decades, however, the once-solid blanket has become weathered and torn in some places – so much so that Alana described it as a ”crusty rag”.
But despite the blankie certainly have seen better days, the mum-of-four recently revealed that even she’s become somewhat attached to the item.
And it comes as no surprise, as the wife claimed she’s been folding the blanket ”every morning” without a fail.
”I’m lowkey sad it’s disappearing,” she chuckled in a video posted on TikTok.
According to Alana, the duo now also take extra care of their kids’ blankets, too.
”They’re like having more kids to watch out for and keep track of,” the mum explained, adding that for her hubby it was more of a ”comfort item”.
What’s more, she noted, the husband’s loyalty to the old blankie also reflects his attitude towards the wife and the tots.
”He’s amazing and so loving and committed and loyal and all about me and our family.”
However, whilst the partner may be getting a brand new blanket knitted by his nan, Alana revealed its ”crusty” predecessor won’t disappear anywhere.
”It will always be around I just know it!” the mum chuckled under the clip, which has been viewed close to a whopping 5million times.
But although the hubby may be obsessed with his childhood blanket, cruel trolls on social media were horrified by the state of it.
One cried in sheer horror: ”The way you’re folding up scraps.”
”Absoutley naurrrt [not],” another was baffled.
”Nah because what??” someone else wanted to know.
Luckily for Alana and her partner, the response seemed to be mainly positive, as hundreds of fellow self-confessed blankie kids flocked to comments.
One mum said: ”I’m the blankie kid my husband married.. & both of our daughters are blankie kids! My husband knows to ‘protect the blankies!!’”
Someone else praised Alana, writing: ”I find it sweet that you do that. Especially when its something that means a lot to him.
”A partner that does that is rare to find. Treating what the other person finds important with love and care.”
”I’m a blankie kid, 34 and still have to sleep with it,” another revealed.
”Currently laying with my blankie. So glad I am not alone,” a social media user added.
Why do adults sleep with their childhood teddies and blankets?
According to a recent survey by Happiful, ”one in five adults still own their childhood teddies, while 9% of us choose to sleep with a soft toy at night”.
But why is it the case we like to get all snuggled up with plushies and old blankies?
Environmental Psychologist and Wellbeing Consultant, Lee Chambers, explained more.
“As a society, we tend to picture children sleeping with soft toys, blankets and other comforting items, but rarely consider that as adults, many of us still use comfort objects as part of our sleeping rituals.
“These comfort objects can help us to soothe ourselves if we are feeling anxious.
”They are a familiar item that has often been on a journey with you and can make you feel less isolated.
”We are emotionally attached to these objects, and they can provide stability in challenging times.
”And, in a world that is increasingly fast-moving and a culture that is increasingly disposable, this unique object feels like slowing down, something special to you and something safe and reliable.”