How do I help my daughter get over her fear of being alone?

My daughter will be 7 next month. She's always hated being alone and slept with us until earlier this year. she has a 3 year old brother and now they sleep together on a futon every night with the TV on. We program it so it's stuff we know that will be on all night. I would also like advise on weaning from the TV. . .

But the other day we were playing and my husband had his TV on and it was Ghost Busters. I didn't recall that it was all that scary and we weren't really paying attention. Suddenly a black skinned devil creature came on and she was scared to death.

Now she won't go upstairs to her room even to get dressed and brush her teeth before school. I have to go with her and sit on her bed while she does it.

Any advice? I remember being so scared of the dark as a kid and my parents weren't much help!

I really hope that this is something she can grow out of, but somehow I'm not too sure about that. It seems really EXTREME to me! I would advise visiting a child psychologist, to get to the bottom of this problem. It appears to be a little more than being scared of the dark. I think something has really scared her. It is your job as a parent to find out what it is, and get some help for her…ASAP!!!
As for TV, maybe a radio would be better. Encourage her to read more Books before bed. Encourage a more active lifestyle. Find out her interests and maybe put her in some extra curricular activities.

what do you like to put inside your house?

that is if you have a house or ap[artment. I visualize my apartment with mix of asian flavor likw the chime wind with a charm, buddha statues for luck, wooden katana set, futon, few dragon statues, bamboo vase. Course i also would have black and silver furniture. I would have a secondary room as a library and computer room.

I love the great outdoors, so my living room is decorated with lots of Black Bear stuff - candles, pictures, blankets, etc. - plus a few things with log cabins. I also have a friend who paints pictures of the French and Indian War period, so I have a historial portion. I am a huge Steelers' fan (yes, I am upset about their loss today, but they will bounce back), so my foyer is decorated in Steelers' motive. I like variety.

Is there any way to alter this bunk bed into sort of a loft?

My kids have outgrown the uses for a bunk bed. Now they want to take out the bottom bunk and just sort of have a bed on stilts so desks and things can fit underneath. Is there any way to to that without compromising the stability? the bed is rated to 300 lbs, but my kids are on the hefty side. Would just leaving one of the bottom bars that holds the mattress up suffice? This is the one:

http://www.morebunkbeds.com/Powell-Country-Pine-and-Matte-Black-Twin-Futon-Bunk-Bed-938-199.htm

It’s made to be able to take the two pieces apart, if that would matter for anything.

Thanks for reading

I’d say use braces and support beams as others mentioned, and then get the necessary hardware and mount the two legs to studs in the wall (the long way) for extra support.

I’d also consider separating the ladder from the bunkbed frame so that it doesn’t cause undue swaying or stress to the structure when they climb up to go to bed, but I’m always nervous about that so that might just be a me thing.

Take your cues from this loft bed by the same manufacturer:

http://www.morebunkbeds.com/Common/Product/Product.aspx?ID=12084&qid=MOD3A_i04-080803-19:53:51-311941

Color help for decorating a room?

I just bought a new comforter and it is a light tan color. I am matching it with a light green (not bright green, but almost an olive green but much lighter). I am going to purchase a futon that will be an off white color so that when the comforter isn't on it while I'm sleeping, the green pillows will match the futon. My question is, what color dressers should I buy. I was thinking of maybe doing black so it will be green, off-white, and black. I am very unsure though. Do you think white will look better? Have any other suggestions to work with those colors?

I actually agree with you! The black would look really good. If you put more white in there you might have too many bright colors. But it would really set well with the green and white… A plain wood is just so…. well plain. haha. I think it would turn out VERY beautiful with black. Good Luck♥

Can you wash dry clean only polyester succesfully?

Our futon cover is plain solid black polyester, but says dry clean only on it. My kids got into the cupboard while I was on the toilet and smooshed peanut butter on it, and I just want it clean, now, so I can put it back on the couch! It’s just the cover, so I was thinking it should be okay in the washing machine…

yeah wash on cold gentle with gentle soap. and dont dry it will be fine. i never dry clean anything too expennsive!

Can you put a futon mattress on a real bed frame?

ok i have a futon mattress from a regular futon.. like you know the metal black ones..

if i get a bed frame like this
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S69849769

can it rest on it? i cant figure out if theres like a hole there where you need a boxspring and a real mattress or if theres like boards there??? how can i find out

In the description in the “good to know” area, it says it is a slated bed base. You would need to put slats under the mattress. I personally would recommend putting a sheet of plywood over the slats to provide a solid bed base so the futon doesnt work it’s way between the slats.