01/04/2026
Co-sleeping until your child doesn't need to anymore Kristy Forbes - Autism & ND Support
After almost 30 years of co-sleeping with my children at different ages and stages, Iām now sleeping alone for the first time at almost 47.
My youngest recently said, āMum, I think Iām ready to sleep in my own bed now.ā And just like that, it happened.
I wasnāt prepared for how it would feel. I have focused so much on their pride, their growth, their readiness.
I hadnāt really thought about my grief.
My room feels so quiet now. So empty. I wake in the night still expecting another body beside me. Itās such a strange transition after a lifetime of making space for my children in this way.
All autistic. All ADHD. All PDA.
My 28 year old lives alone in another country now and is a published author.
My 21 year old lives a quiet, local life and sleeps alone happily š
My 15 year old brings me ideas for redecorating their room often and LOVES bed time.
My 12 year old is happy across the other side of the house in their comfy bed with zero lights or night lights needed.
The truth is: this is exactly why I did it.
They slept beside me until they felt safe enough not to. That isnāt āenabling.ā That is nurturing. That is building capacity. That is what support can make possible, especially for autistic, PDA and anxious children (all children!) who need repeated experiences of safety before they can move at their own pace into what feels right for them.
So yes, Iām sad. And Iām proud.
Proud of them for growing. Proud of me for trusting what they needed. And for trusting my gut in a world that pushes children toward forced hyper-independence, when ancient wisdom and culture taught us close community and responsive care were simply how children were held.
And certain, deep in my bones, that co-sleeping with my children for all these years was the right thing for our family.
KF
