Parent's contract might not be enforceable
It has been painful to see my friend suffer due to false promises and an uncertain future.
I'm tired of listening and offering support because she goes back to idealizing this guy, who seems nothing but bad news to her (and her children). How do I support her but not alienate her? I am afraid this will happen, if I start saying that she should run as fast as she can?
-- Worried Friend
Dear Friend: Your friend seems to have bounced from one abusive man to another.
You should suggest that she see a therapist to examine her own choices and to work through her current problems.
Your focus should always pivot back to her children: What is best for them? How do her choices affect them? Can she find ways to tamp down the emotional upheaval in her own life, for their sakes?
She needs to absorb this truism: "When you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got."
Dear Amy: I was disappointed to see that in your response to "Confused," you made a reference inferring that community colleges are not "full-time schools." Community college is definitely full time. Students there take full course loads and work just as hard as other college students.
-- Upset
Dear Upset: I am so sorry I made this error. I should have written "four-year" instead of "full time," and I apologize. I heartily support the mission and success of community colleges.
========
(You can contact Amy Dickinson via email: askamy@amydickinson.com. Readers may send postal mail to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or "like" her on Facebook.)
