[LeeSimm]

I brought home a wonderful 13 year old in early December. She's a trooper and has begun to adjust beautifully I am inspired by her fortitude, resilience, and patience but have a question.

She never wants to be alone - except when she's in the bathroom or getting dressed (maximum of 5-6 minutes). She gets extremely upset and cries if I ask her to stay in one room while I am doing something else (for instance, stay in the livingroom and watch a movie while I do some work in the next room or downstairs). And she will not go to sleep until I do. I believe this is because she is afraid, so I've moved her bed into my bedroom for the last two months.

This week I am hoping to move her bed back into her bedroom and have her start sleeping there. When I broached this subject with her, I felt like a monster! She was obviously distraught and looked like I had told her I was sending her back to the orphanage! Am I doing something unwise? Should I let her stay with me longer? If not, how is the best way to help her make the move? I have endless sympathy and understanding for all the uncertainties and fears and challenges she is facing now, but I am afraid that I am enabling her fears by never being out of her sight when she isn't at school.

Thanks!