Ask Brummipapiteddy

Dear Brummipapiteddy,

my human has just started school.

Until recently we spent every evening and many days together. We went on adventures, fought dragons, build lego tours and I was tucked into bed every single night.

Now things are different.

There is homework. My human is often tired. Some evenings I'm left sitting on the pillow instead of being hugged all night.

Does this mean I'm retired?

‐ Worried Bunny

Dear Worried Bunny,

First of all... may I compliment you on writing such a heartfelt letter? Even after fifty years, I still admire teddy bears and bunnies who are brave enough to admit they're worried.

Now then. Retired?

Absolutely not.

In fact, what you are experiencing is something we elder teddy bears call...

The First Great Growing-Up. Every young teddy eventually goes through it.

At first it can feel rather alarming. Your human suddenly spends less time fighting dragons and more time trying to remember how to spell "hippopotamus." Quite honestly, I would prefer the dragons.

School changes many things. Humans discover reading. Writing. Mathematics. Backpacks that seem much too large for them. And an astonishing amount of paper. Where all this paper comes from remains one of life's great mysteries.

Now, you may notice that your human doesn't carry you into every room anymore. This is perfectly normal. It does not mean you have become less important. It simply means your job description has changed.

You are no longer Chief Adventure Companion.

Congratulations! You have been promoted.

You are now...

Chief Comfort Officer.

This is a position of enormous responsibility.

When homework goes wrong... You are there.

When friendships become complicated... You are there.

When your human has a bad hair day... You are there.

When they have had the best day ever and simply want someone soft to hug... You are there.

The wonderful thing about our profession is this:

The less humans need us every minute...
the more they need to know that we are still waiting.

Now let me tell you a little secret from an old teddy bear.
Many years ago my own kid also started school. At first I was convinced my busiest days were over.

Then one rainy afternoon, after what must have been a particularly difficult spelling test, my human walked into the bedroom without saying a word.

She picked me up.

Gave me the biggest hug imaginable.

Sighed deeply.

Then put me back exactly where I had been.

Not a single word was spoken.

None was necessary.

That was the day I realised something important.

Teddy bears and bunnies are a bit like umbrellas. Humans don't carry us around because it's sunny. They keep us nearby because one day it might rain.

It is one of the most trusted positions a toy can receive.

Most importantly...

you remind your human that no matter how big they become, someone who loves them is always waiting.

That is never retirement.

That is experience.

Warm hugs,
Brummipapiteddy

Brummipapiteddy's Advice for All Teddy Bears

If your human doesn't hug you every night anymore, don't measure your importance by the number of cuddles.

Measure it by this question:

"If they had a really bad day, which toy would they reach for first?"

If the answer is you...

you are doing an excellent job.


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