Your Birthday today: Making a change to appease others will not turn out well for you. Practice saying no to anyone push- DEAR ABBY ing you to be a follower instead of letting you pursue your own goals. Advice written by Fewer changes and more nurturing should be your priorities this year. Romance is favored; arguing isn’t. CANCER (June 21-July 22) - Take the most interesting path. DEAR ABBY: I have a young, preteen grandson Doing something unexpected or who is asking his parents “facts of life” questions. They something that will bring you the are bewildered about how to give him the information. most unique experience will be the way to go. Personal improvements I’d be grateful if you could share details of the publi- will lead to compliments. cation you have for this purpose and how to get it. - LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) - Your GRANDMOM IN CLINTON TOWNSHIP, MICH. emotions will be difficult to control. Avoid being dramatic when you DEAR GRANDMOM: Many parents find the subject are at work or dealing with a part- of sex embarrassing, so they postpone discussing Hagar The Horrible nership problem. Making a bold statement or move will be counter- it with their children. They forget that children today productive. mature earlier and are exposed to sexual images and VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) - Do references more often than those of previous genera- what has to be done and get on with your day. If you labor too long tions. over how to do something, you will When “The Talk” finally happens, it’s often too late. run out of time. It is important that parents begin discussing subjects LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) - You may know in your heart what you like alcohol, smoking, drugs, sex and family values should or what you want to do, well before their children are tempted to experiment. but doing it may not be possible if someone decides to challenge you. My booklet “What Every Teen Should Know” was writ- SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) - ten to help parents break the ice and get the conversa- Approach whatever you decide to tion going. It can be ordered by sending your name do from a unique angle. The less informed others are about your and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 plan, the better. A little romance will (U.S. funds) to Dear Abby Teen Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Shoe bring you closer to a loved one. Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. Shipping and handling SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) - If you decide to express your- are included in the price. His parents should review self, do so with honesty and integri- it before starting a discussion to deal with their son’s ty. If you send the wrong message questions that might arise. or give a false impression, you’ll be asked a lot of questions. Among the important topics included are: “How old CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. must a girl be before she can get pregnant?” “How old 19) - Take a moment to rearrange things at home. If you are orga- must a boy be before he can father a child?” Other nized, it will be much easier to topics, including peer pressure, dating, STDs, drugs deal with everyday responsibilities. and alcohol, are also covered. My booklet has been Romance is in the stars. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) used to promote discussions by educators and reli- - Emotions will swell if you let your gious leaders and distributed by doctors’ offices. The anger surface. Take more time more information his parents can provide, the better to think about the consequences should you decide to engage in an prepared your grandson will be to make informed argument with an unpredictable choices in the future. I hope my booklet will be a help- person. PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) ful tool for facilitating the many conversations his par- - Keep personal matters hidden ents will have with their son. from people trying to pry into your DEAR ABBY: My son recently died in an accident. affairs. Keep people’s focus on the positive things you do. His death was unexpected and shocking, and we are ARIES (March 21-April 19) - all heartbroken, especially his girlfriend. I know he was You know what needs to be done, having doubts about their relationship because he told so hop to it. If you have to be told to make a move, you will appear me, but she doesn’t know. to be incompetent. Consistency, We have grown very close since the accident. She dedication and follow-through are says things like, “’Danny’ and I were meant to be.” encouraged. TAURUS (April 20-May 20) It makes me think I should tell her the truth. But I’m - You know what you have to do afraid if I do, it will affect our friendship and break her to make things happen. Leave nothing to chance. If someone heart again. What do you think? Should she know or Frank and Ernest challenges you intellectually, don’t not? - TREADING LIGHTLY get angry; you can outsmart him DEAR TREADING: Please accept my sympathy for or her. GEMINI (May 21-June 20) - the loss of your son. Because the tragedy is recent, I Don’t rely on someone’s promise. see nothing to be gained by shattering her illusion. If You’ll be disappointed if you are you feel she’s isolating herself, remind her that Danny too accommodating or you expect others to be as detail-oriented as would want her to go on with her life as do you. Assure you. Stick to rules and regulations. her you will always be there for her if she needs you.

Blondie

Grizwells

Snuffy Smith

Heart of the City

Hi and Lois

Herman Moderately Confused

Beetle Bailey

Arlo and Janis Born Loser