Great Uncle Fred? I am nearly twelve but I can`t get to sleep at night unless I have my blanket which is like a rag as I have been holding it ever since I can remember. Dad was in my room two nights ago and he did not say anything but he did pick it up and smile. No one has teased me or anything but I think I must be too old. Is it babyish to want to hold a blanket while sleeping? (Jeremy, Winter 2007/8)

Don`t worry about this. There is a line in a song which goes, `Whatever gets you through the night, it`s all right`. That is not strictly true but if you like having your blanket with you while you sleep, that is all right. Almost everyone, grown-ups included, is unreasonably attached to something or other, some object or habit. Actually, grown-ups get more and more attached to their own way of doing things, the older they get. Sometimes they even start to think that their way of doing things, their habits, are better than other people`s ways of doing things. One day, your blanket will go missing or you`ll leave it behind when you go away or it will simply disintegrate and you will be concerned for a few moments and then you will realise that you do not actually need your blanket. Your blanket is a symbol of the security that you think you lack but which you have plenty of. Don`t give the matter another thought. Please. OK?

Print