Kids’ game of ‘ truth or dare’ causes strife among adults

DEAR ABBY: My sister has children younger than mine, but the kids all play together frequently. She recently caught them involved in a game of “truth or dare” and a couple of the kids had no clothes on. While I was surprised to hear it and have spoken to my children about it, it seems to me to be one of those games kids play. My sister insists it’s about dominance and sex and refuses to let my kids play with hers any longer. I’m heartbroken over her reaction and don’t know how to respond. We barely speak anymore. What do you think? – JUST A GAME? IN IOWA DEAR JUST A GAME: Whether what happened was because of natural curiosity or about “dominance” would depend on the ages of the children involved. Not allowing the children to play together again seems like an overreaction, but a serious discussion about boundaries should certainly have taken place after the incident. DEAR ABBY: I started dating my childhood sweetheart when we were in high school. I’m now in college. My dreams and goals have always been to move from our small town to a big city in another state. The problem is my boyfriend, “Clay,” never wants to leave here. He isn’t even interested in travel, which is something I would love to do. I have stayed in our hometown for him. Everyone in my family thinks he’s holding me back and isn’t being fair. He may not be perfect, but he does make me happy. I now have an opportunity to move, but Clay refuses to go. Should I go anyway, regardless of what it does to our relationship? Do I take the risk of being happy in a new city by myself, or stay where I know what the ending will be? – STUCK IN SMALLTOWN, U. S. A. DEAR STUCK: All of life is a risk. Please listen to your family. I think you know in your heart that you need to experience a little independence. If you don’t take advantage of the opportunity you have been given, you will indeed be “Stuck in Smalltown, U. S. A.” Forever.