DEAR ABBY: I have been divorced for 18 years. The main reason for my divorce was that I married too young and wasn’t ready to be a wife and mother. My daughter has just announced her engagement to a truly wonderful man, but she’s only 19. I want to support her, but I’m afraid she’s making the same mistake I did. I have tried talking to her about it, but she is sure she is making the right decision.
I am tight on money now, and I don’t want to pay for an expensive wedding if it’s going to be a waste later on if my daughter gets a divorce. But I do want to be by her side and support her during one of the most important times of her life. What should I do? – EXPERIENCED MOM
DEAR MOM: Your daughter already knows you’re concerned about her marrying so young and the reasons why. Ultimately, this is her decision – or mistake – to make. Explain that you won’t be able to contribute financially to her wedding because money is tight right now, but that you are there to support her emotionally now and forever. Tell her, too, that many successful marriages begin at a courthouse, and you wish her better luck than you had.
DEAR ABBY: My wife of 38 years passed away a year and a half ago. My ex-wife, to whom I was married for 14 years, and who is the mother of our adult kids, is single again after four failed marriages. She’s making overtures about getting together again. She is assertive, likes to spend and was very jealous.
At my age, I could use the help, but it would require selling my house and moving several states away. She’s really pushing, but I’m just not sure. It would be nice to have someone around because I am lonely. She is a neat lady, but I just don’t know. Help! – PROPOSITIONED IN THE MIDWEST