By Jeff Johnson and Paula Forman

Dear Short Answers:
I have two good friends who are getting a divorce and absolutely DEMANDING that everyone take sides. It’s a small town and one party definitely knows if you’ve even talked to the other person. The truth is that I’m much closer to the wife than to the husband. Should I try to treat them both equally or give in to the wife’s demands and avoid even speaking to her ex?
Don’t Know What to Do

Dear DKWTD:
Give every one a bit of time to get over their trauma but try to avoid participating in what is really THEIR drama.  They don’t get to choreograph your behavior, so be sure you behave in a way that you feel is honorable.

 

PARENTING 101

Dear Short Answers:
My daughter is 6 years old and has become obsessed with beauty pageants. Believe me, I have no idea why this happened. I am completely opposed to the idea but she is insistent and talks of nothing else. Even though I don’t believe that young girls should participate in such nonsense, would it be wrong for me to let her try it at least once?
Confused

Dear Confused:
So, if your daughter wanted to try…drugs, just once, what would you say? We understand that kids are only kids but parents are standard bearers for values.

 

SARTORIALLY SPLENDID (NOT!)

Dear Short Answers:
Can you settle an argument that I am having with my wife? I like to wear old clothes around the house and I admit that some of them are a bit ratty. They’re clean but a stain here or there. My wife thinks I should try to look nice all the time even when nobody else is around. I think that’s stupid and a waste of time. Who’s right?
Mr. Natural

Dear Mr. Natural:
Sounds like she is saying you should look nice for her. We couldn’t agree more. Wake up before she walks off.

 

SIGNS AND WONDERS

Dear Short Answers:
I have been having an affair with a woman at work for the past 3 years (we are both married). I knew it was wrong, but we couldn’t stop ourselves. Now she is pregnant and won’t even speak to me. How can I find out if this is my baby or not? If it is, I think it’s a sign that we should be together. But she refuses to discuss this and tells me that it’s over. Don’t I have a legal right to know?
Dan

Dear Dan:
The sign we believe in is that for three years you both chose not to divorce and not to be together. The pregnancy apparently helped her decide.  Paternity tests and legal rights are above our pay grade but we think now is a good time for you to move to another planet.

 

A VERY PERSONAL QUESTION

Dear Short Answers:
How much drinking is too much?
Party Girl

Dear PG:
If you think you drink too much, you probably do.  If others think so, they are probably right.

 

Life is complicated.  “Short Answers” isn’t.  Send a question about whatever is bothering you to [email protected] or go to www.shortanswers.net and a psychologist and sociologist will answer.  A selection of the best questions will be printed every week in KonkLife.

[livemarket market_name="KONK Life LiveMarket" limit=3 category=“” show_signup=0 show_more=0]