Dear Abby: I am the single parent of two girls. My oldest, Becca, is 17 years old. She is dating this guy and plans to move in with him and two friends (another couple) soon after graduation. What I'm worried about is that their relationship is pretty toxic. They're always fighting. I asked her not to move with him, but she didn't move.
Becca has some abandonment issues. Her mom left us when Becca was a baby and my second wife was emotionally abusive to everyone before we divorced. I think this is why Becca refuses to see how bad her relationship is.
How can I show Becca that she's making a big mistake? I don't want her to get stuck in a horrifying relationship. Neither of them can control themselves, so they worry that she will soon get pregnant. Please help. – Arizona single dad
Dear Dad: After a year of fighting her boyfriend, Becca might change her mind about moving with him once she graduates. (You can only do what you want.) But if she doesn't, she tries to reach a compromise with her. Tell her that you love her and if she needs to go home, your door will always be open.
Make sure you are happy to use long-term (reversible) birth control such as IUDs and contraceptives to ensure you are protected from unplanned pregnancy. Your family doctor can explain her options if she is happy. (I'm crossing my fingers she looks at wisdom.)
Dear Abby: Last year I gave my dad a cool flashlight for his birthday. It was rechargeable and had the ability to act as a lantern. He seemed excited about it and later told me again that he had used it.
Abby, this week my dad gave me a flashlight back as a gift. Not only that, he went on multiple occasions about how thoughtful he is by “finding” this unusual gadget for me! He kept asking if I liked it. Yes, I thought it was cool and said that was the reason I gave him last year. He seemed to have no idea what I was saying and repeatedly asked me to tell him how much I appreciate the gift. I decided not to do much about it, but I think both of our feelings were hurt.
Is this kind of oblivion a sign of something big that I should be concerned about? He does the typical old man's thing of repeating the story from a good my time, but this kind of total forgetfulness is new. – Played in Washington
Dear regifted: Yes, in addition to repeating the story about “Good My Day”, something like this teeth Cause of concern. If your mother is still in the picture, mention how personality this was due to your father's personality. Ask her if she notices the change. If she has, when he sees his doctor for his next body, he suggests that he is neurologically evaluated to make sure nothing is wrong . If he lives alone, discuss this with his siblings and suggest that “someone” accompany his father on his next medical appointment.
Dear Abby was written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Please contact dear Abby http://www.dearabby.com or PO Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
