Woman’s parents stew over her May-December romance

DEAR ABBY >> My husband and I have a 22-year-old daughter, “Cara,” who is having a relationship with a 65-year-old man, “Gary.” We do not approve of the relationship.

Gary is going through a divorce, and Cara has moved into his rented condo with him. She just graduated from college. She doesn’t have a job, has no money and drives an old car. She was always a good student and never did anything wrong. She didn’t date much and was a wonderful child. She and Gary have been together for almost six months now.

Cara knows we love her but do not approve of the relationship. She also knows that Gary is not welcome in our home. She sees nothing wrong with their relationship. She doesn’t socialize with her friends as often as she used to. Gary works fulltime and also has a job on weekends. We never speak

HOROSCOPES

Aries (March 21-April 19): You’ll get the urge to take a break before the work is done, and it’s an excellent idea. These things have a way of unfolding easily and beautifully under relaxed circumstances.

Taurus (April 20-May 20): Like any other animal, you belong to the natural world and will thrive there, should you seize the chance. This connection is best facilitated, however, with certain precautions such as bug spray, sunscreen and proper outdoor attire.

Gemini (May 21-June 21): Isolation is like a bubble — an invisible barrier that keeps the outside world at a distance and untouchable. You’ll pierce this bubble for someone using only words of him when we talk to our daughter. What is going on? What should we do? When will it end? Where is her head?

DEAR NERVOUS >> Your daughter — who didn’t date much — thinks she’s in love with Gary. Because she is emotionally involved, she’s thinking with her heart, not her head. What you need to do is loosen up.

Tell your daughter you and your husband will welcome Gary into your home. And when that happens, get to know him and talk with him about the importance of her getting a job in the field for which she has worked so hard to qualify.

Their relationship will end when she finally tires of living with someone who is old enough to be her grandfather, and who has little time to devote to her because he has financial and warmth.

Cancer (June 22-July 22): People are better at remembering beginnings and endings than they are middles. You’ll use this to your advantage today, making quite an impression with your entrances and exits.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22):

As a fire sign, you like to see the things you start take off, get exciting and change. You also know that even the hottest spark can’t ignite without something there to burn. So you put yourself where the potential fuel is.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Staying flexible in your thinking has to do with releasing judgment and stretching into different obligations toward his almost-ex-wife. Cross your fingers and hope she grows impatient soon.

DEAR ABBY >> At my preschooler’s concert, another parent asked me to hold a seat for her near the front. I draped a sweater over two seats. Shortly after, another family arrived, and the grandfather of another child removed the sweater, claiming the seats for members of his family who were also absent.

Three times I tried to explain that I was holding a seat for a parent with a disability who was having a hard time getting to the auditorium. Each time I was rudely interrupted. The man grabbed me by the shoulder, threatened me and even invited me to settle things outside. He later photographed my wife and children.

Not wanting to be that parent who gets into a fight over a seat at a children’s ideas to try them on. They don’t have to fit for you to get the benefit of the stretch.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23): One job well done doesn’t make a star. It’s the repeat performances, showing up time after time with the kind of sparkle and professionalism that lends itself to a reputation for greatness. Your star is on the rise.

Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov.

21): The problem you face isn’t about just you. It’s the whole group’s problem really. It just so happens that you’re the one who is best equipped to lead the pack in solving it.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec.

21): People won’t know about your talent until you event, I backed down. Afterward, though, I did file a report with the police. Now I am deciding whether to press charges.

I don’t want to overreact, but I have heard from other parents that this man has a tendency to bully. I have always been bothered by stories about violence at kids’ events and feel this man crossed a line. Should I?

DEAR PROVOKED >> If this man behaved as you described and put his hands on you, then you were physically assaulted. If there were other parents who witnessed it and would be willing to testify if you press charges, go ahead and pursue it. When you do, the bully will be in the system the next time he does it to someone. DEAR READERS >> It’s time again to remind you that daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. Sunday. Don’t tell them. Keep in mind that there are different ways to go about this, and the direct way is the least effective. How can you allow people to stumble into this knowledge?

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan.

19): Wherever you go, you want to make it better and more exciting, not just for you but for everyone around. You go into it with a friendly attitude. Your quick physical and social reflexes bring youthful brightness to the environs.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb.

18): People are not aware of what they have (or what they lack) until someone next to them quite obviously has (or lacks) it. Thus gratitude (and resentment) are learned (and taught) forget to turn your clocks back one hour at bedtime tonight. And while you’re at it, remember to change the batteries in your fire alarms and smoke detectors.

What teens need to know about sex, drugs, AIDS and getting along with peers and parents is in “What Every Teen Should Know.” Send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for

$8 (U.S. funds) to: Dear Abby, Teen Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL

61054-0447. (Shipping and handling are included in the price.) behaviors.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March

20): Get directly down to business, no apologies, explanations, justifications or qualifications are necessary. What matters is getting it done. You’ll stay focused until the finish, and then celebrate.

Today’s birthday (Nov.

2): Relationships bring out a powerful side of you and you’ll begin to love and give to others in ways that you used to long for. This solar year, you will actually become the one you wished for. You’ll celebrate new developments in business and love. You’ll level up with a personal endeavor. Virgo and Gemini adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 50, 2,

22, 18 and 6.