Daughter unsure if she should discuss past relationships

DEAR AMY >> I was not allowed to date any boys until college. I feel bad now, but I had some secret relationships when I was younger.

Now that I am older, I have an official boyfriend. He has met my family, and they love him.

Sometimes my parents and older siblings make comments that make it seem like my current boyfriend is my first boyfriend.

I feel like I’m keeping something from them. I fear that one day (maybe at my wedding) someone will make a speech about how this was my first boyfriend ever and the audience will be mixed with confusion and cheers.

My boyfriend knows this whole story and he thinks I should tell them. I don’t want to shatter the image they have of me, be angry with me or think any less of me. Should I tell them?

— Worried

DEAR WORRIED >> I’m hoping that your family members aren’t taking bets on your virginity, and that this is about a basic prohibition regarding relationships.

You say that you weren’t allowed to date until college.

I assume that you are now out of college.

So it stands to reason that all you have to do now is to color in your history with a dull pencil.

The next time this topic surfaces, you can laugh and say, “I hate to burst your bubble, but you know — I did date a little bit in college before I met ‘Brad’.” If they’re curious, tell them that there weren’t any serious relationships, but that he is not the first guy you’ve dated.

DEAR AMY >> “Mom” is worried about paying for a very expensive college that her daughter doesn’t seem to value.

We made a pact with our son that we would pay for his first semester. If he received all passing grades, then we would pay for the next semester. If not, then he had to pay for that next semester. Money talks. — Dad

DEAR DAD >> I like this. But this only works if the parents are fully prepared to follow through.

Contact Amy Dickinson via email at askamy@ tribpub.com.

Amy Dickinson