She's in the dark about getting rid of her blanket

DEAR ABBY: I am 19, and because of some traumatic events in my past, I'm afraid of the dark and sleep with my baby blanket. I went to counseling about it, but eventually stopped because it didn't help. I haven't had any real problems as a result of the issue because I live at home and my boyfriend has been supportive in accommodating my needs when I stay with him. Plus, I don't need my blanket when I'm with him.

My concern is about the upcoming semester. I will have to move to the main campus of my university in order to continue my education. This means I'll be living in a shared dorm. The two times it came up during high school, I was teased mercilessly until something else came along. I'm already going to stand out for moving in the middle of the year, but I don't know how to keep training myself to give up my blanket.

- Still Scared in Delaware

DEAR STILL SCARED: I have a suggestion that might be helpful, but it would require having your blanket converted into a "huggie pillow." That way you can still sleep with it but it would no longer resemble a baby blanket. Many people sleep with an extra pillow, so it wouldn't appear odd.

DEAR ABBY: My vegetarian, won't-harm-a-fly husband owns two handguns. They were bought before I met him. He knows I don't approve.

While I support his desire to protect our family, I'm frightened by the much more immediate possibility of an accident happening, or the children finding them and harming themselves or someone else.

Every time I raise the subject, it turns into an argument and he insists he won't get rid of them. I'm at a loss about how to resolve this problem. Any advice?

- Unwilling to Give Up in Pennsylvania

DEAR UNWILLING: Would your vegetarian, wouldn't-harm-a-fly husband consider trigger locks for his weapons or a gun safe? If not, then perhaps you should consider raising your children with a man who isn't already married to his guns.