Dear Abby: My son is the recipient of a four-year college scholarship with full tuition. He selected and applied to this school. The problem is, he now wants to transfer to another college. This means he would finish his sophomore year and give up two years of the scholarship.
The reason he has given us is “a lot of his friends go there.” We’re a working-class family that struggles to cover the cost of his dorm and his meals. How does a parent handle this? — Thinking Ahead Dear Thinking: If you haven’t already done so, you and your husband should sit down, explain the financial realities of his changing schools, and ask him how he plans to pay for his education in the absence of his scholarship. If he is prepared to take student loans and work his way through, then as a young ADULT, that is what he will have to do.
Dear Abby: I am 11 years old. My problem is my dad won’t spend time with me. He always has friends over, or he’s too tired. I have written letters to him to hang with me and how I feel. Now what should I do? — Lonely Girl
Dear Lonely Girl: Because you have already tried getting through to your father, ask your mother to talk to him about his priorities.
Believe me, you have my sympathy. When fathers were handed out, you got one who doesn’t understand the responsibilities that go along with being a parent. It is very important that you recognize that this in no way is a reflection on YOU.
If, after your mother speaks to your dad, he still doesn’t see the light, then rather than brood, try filling your time with other things such as Girl Scouting, sports, hobbies and church youth activities. In the end, the loss will be your father’s because these are important years that he will never be able to get back or do over again.
Write Dear Abby at or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
