Editor's note: Barry Courter has a 24-year-old son who is a college graduate and a 20-year-old daughter who is a sophomore in college.

Q: Dad, explain the concept of plausible deniability.

A: I'm for it. This is a great tool that has been utilized by children and parents since the beginning of time. While I'm a firm believer in being truthful, there are times when it is not only OK, but preferred that certain topics just never be brought up. In other words, I am perfectly content to not know everything that is happening in your life.