Shoplifting sister shows no remorse
Dear Abby: I’m a 28-yearold mother of two. My teenaged adopted sister steals makeup from stores. It sometimes happens when we are together, but I never catch her doing it. She has told me she feels no remorse about stealing the items.
My parents and I have lectured her time after time. She’s now claiming her friends give her makeup they don’t like. I’m exasperated because she just doesn’t seem to get it. Would it be wrong of me to tip off the security guard on our next shopping trip? I want her to learn a lesson before it’s too late. Yet, it could result in juvenile detention and a financial burden on my parents.
I love my sister, but I’m worried her habit may lead to an unfortunate adulthood. Please help me, Abby.
Sticky Fingers
Dear Sticky Fingers: If you do what you are contemplating and your sister finds out you were the person who turned her in, she will never forgive you for it. I agree that the girl has serious problems. That’s why I’m advising you to tell your parents what has been going on and let them handle it.
Dear Abby: We didn’t ask them to, but my parents recently retired and moved from Virginia to Georgia to be close to our family after our son — their first grandchild — was born. The move down here was a huge undertaking for them. It included selling their home in Virginia and building a new one here in Georgia with the assumption that in their old age they would never have to move again.
The problem is, my husband and I are considering a move to a different state to pursue career opportunities for the betterment of our family. I feel awful because it will mean my parents may have to move again. We currently live in a location where they don’t know many people, so I don’t think they will want to stay after we leave. How should we bring up the topic of our potential move and discuss it with them?
Moving in the South
Dear Moving: If the opportunities are better elsewhere, then that’s where you should go. This should not have been a deep, dark secret. Tell your parents you are considering another move so they can make plans of their own. They may want to move to a location near you, back to Virginia where their friends are or to a retirement community.