Mixed signals are complicating romance

Dear Abby: Recently I have found myself in a difficult spot. My whole life I dreamed about marrying a college football player and, for the past eight months, I have been in a serious relationship with one. Last week he called me and told me we should take a break.

Immediately afterward, I have met up with a close friend from high school, and I think I may be developing feelings for him. He doesn’t have the great looks my boyfriend has, but he is much kinder to me and he treats me right.

I’m stuck because my boyfriend called me last night saying he wants to talk over dinner, and I think he wants to get back together. Should I stick with my longtime, supergood-looking boyfriend, or leave him for the guy I know will treat me right?

Hard Choice in the West

Dear Hard Choice:

You do not marry an occupation; you marry a person. A handsome partner who distances himself from you one week and wants to reconcile the next would make a terrible husband. Take it slow and stick with someone who will treat you right and you will have a far happier life. Trust me.

Dear Abby:

I’m 24, married and have no children. I don’t consider myself to be nervous when I’m around children, but when they’re in my home or car, shouldn’t I be allowed to ask them to stop whatever they’re doing wrong?

My neighbor and I carpool twice a week to our dance workout classes. Her child was topsyturvy all over the back seat. When I asked the child to please take her feet off the window, her mother, to my surprise, announced that next time she would drive her own car, that SHE was uncomfortable and “hoped my future children would be perfect”! Abby, was I wrong not to let it go when I was uncomfortable?

Dear Soiled:

No, you were not wrong. In case you have forgotten, children are required by law to wear seat belts (or sit in a car seat) when in a moving vehicle. In your car and your home, your rules should prevail.

Dear Abby: My 10-yearold daughter is a beautiful girl inside and out. She’s caring, loving and sweet to everyone. My only concern is that she still sleeps in the bed with her mom. While I don’t object to this, should I be concerned about her psychological development?

Her Daddy in North Carolina

Dear Daddy: Most children in our culture have learned to sleep independently by the age of 2. Because you are concerned about the sleeping arrangement, the resource to consult is a licensed child psychologist.