Friend worries about troubled kids

Dear Amy: How should I respond to parents of troubled offspring? These notso-young adults seem set on destroying themselves or going to jail. Some have committed unspeakable acts and endangered others.

These parents and their sons and daughters have been my friends for years. I saw nothing but love in their homes. I am not a parent, so I don’t trust my feelings here.

I am so furious with the offenders that I don’t think I can be in a room with them without going into a rage. They don’t seem to realize how much their actions impact the lives of others.

When I have a catch-up with my parent friends, I wait to see if they mention their wayward progeny.

I’m afraid to ask, and yet I feel it seems like I don’t care if I don’t ask. I’m reluctant to make a connection for fear they think I’m being snoopy. I just want to hang out with my old buddies! — Miss My Friends

Dear Miss My Friends:

The way you present this, you are surrounded — or feel surrounded — by friends and their felonious offspring. I truly hope this is not the case.

Your question is whether you should ask your friends about their adult children, in the polite way that people do. The answer is “yes.”

It doesn’t seem like snooping if you simply ask, “How is ‘Marta’ doing right now?” The friend can either answer in detail, or give you a noncommittal brush back. If you sense tension, you can say, “Are you OK with me asking? I don’t want to upset you, but I want you to know that I care.”

There is no need for you to spend time with offenders, if it makes you uncomfortable or fills you with rage. But when communicating with these parents, leave your harsh judgment behind. Regardless of how you feel, you should assume that they continue to love and care about their children.