For a single mother working two jobs, living in a small city apartment, sharing a bed with her son is not a "parenting style"—it is a logistical necessity. Similarly, in many immigrant families, co-sleeping is a cultural tradition that persists through generations. To pathologize these arrangements is to impose a narrow, economically privileged lens on a global practice.
Experts generally look at the of the child when evaluating the impact: mom and son share a bed
There is no one-size-fits-all rule for when a mother and son should stop sharing a bed. Every family’s circumstances, from the size of their home to the temperament of the child, are unique. The goal of any sleeping arrangement should be to ensure that everyone in the household feels safe, rested, and respected. By staying attuned to the child's developing need for independence and privacy, parents can ensure that the transition to separate beds is a positive step in their son's growth. For a single mother working two jobs, living
Some experts argue that long-term co-sleeping can make it harder for a child to learn how to self-soothe or feel confident sleeping alone. Experts generally look at the of the child
This is not to say that occasional co-sleeping (e.g., during a thunderstorm or illness) is harmful after age 10. It is the habitual, nightly arrangement without a planned exit that becomes problematic.