Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/783780
DILBERT ScottAdams PEARLSBEFORESWINE StephanPastis PICKLES BrianCrane BABYBLUES JerryScott&RickKirkman THEDUPLEX GlennMcCoy ZITS JerryScott&JimBorgman SHERMAN'SLAGOON JimToomey ARGYLESWEATER ScottHilburn BIZARRO DanPiraro DEARAMY»Mydaugh- ter is graduating from high school. She barely passes classes. She doesn't bother with homework, and will graduate by the skin of her teeth. She i s gre at at ta lkin g people into giving her an- other chance and getting in under the wire. After many years of fighting about her grades and habits, I now stand back, give her hugs and am ready to let her fly (or not) on her own. She has magically been admitted to her first choice of college, which is out of state, and it's expensive. We have saved and have enough to cover her tuition, but I fear her terrible habits and manip- ulative ways will just end up costing us $40,000, and she won't have any- thing to show for it. I don't think she's ready, but I don't want to tell her that she's likely to fail. She has always wanted to go to college and will not discuss alternatives, like a gap year program, where I think she would gain some much-needed life skills. I can't have her live at home, either. I think she needs to get out into the world. Plus, I'd probably go insane. My inclination is to send her off with the caveat that she has to get Cs, or she's back home at community college. Should I give her that chance on our dime? What can I do to help her get her act together? She's an amazing kid, but needs to figure it out. —Mom DEAR MOM » Let's review: Your primary concern about your daughter is how she manages to manipulate situations and people in order to squeak under the wire. And look — she has done it again! Once she barely graduates, she is being handed the prize. And you are willing to spend $40,000 to get her out of the house. Given your high stakes investment in her future and your perceptions of her chances of success, maybe you should not send her off with a hug. You could give her two choices: A gap year program, or at least one semester of community college where she takes and passes classes before transferring to her dream school (many schools are flexible about deferring adm ission ). If s he is n't willing to even discuss it, then it is because she assumes she can again manipulate you. I'm suggesting that you make this uncomfort- able enough for her that (after she pouts and acts out), she will come to you with realistic options and possible solutions to your shared concern. She needs to earn her way in. DEAR AMY » I'm chiming in on your terrible advice to "At a Loss," that she should invite her mother to her wedding. Some people just can't handle themselves in public, and they should be excluded. — I Want Your Job DEAR I WANT » This is complicated when the troublesome person is a parent, and the bride doesn't want to sever the relationship. Mom worries about her daughter's college prospects You can contact Amy Dickinson via email: askamy@amydickinson. com and follow her on Twitter @askingamy. Amy Dickinson Ask Amy Sudoku Instructions:Theobjectistoplacethe numbers1to9intheemptysquaresso thateachrow,eachcolumnandeach 3x3boxcontainsthenumberonlyonce. AnswertoPreviousPuzzle CelebrityCipher ByLuisCampos Instructions:CelebrityCiphercryptogramsarecreatedfromquotationsbyfamouspeople, pastandpresent.Eachletterinthecipherstandsforanother. NEACrossword Aquarius(Jan.20-Feb.19) — Acknowledge what others do, but proceed down a path that will ensure your happiness and success. Love and romance are highlighted. Pisces (Feb. 20-March 20) — If you offer to help others, you will create good karma. What you put out, you will get back. Kindness and consider- ation will suffice. Aries (March 21-April 19) — Emotions will be difficult to control. Overreacting or doing something impulsive will cause problems within important relationships. Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Get together with friends or relatives or do something that will inspire you to begin a creative project. Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Think before you take on too much or let your emotions interfere with the outcome of an important matter. Don't feel that you have to part with your cash to impress someone. Cancer (June 21-July 22) — You'll be impulsive and exces- sive if you let your emotions interfere or take control. Sepa- rate yourself from any situation that may cost you emotionally, financially or physically. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Refuse to let anyone upset you. Emotions will get in the way of good judgment. Stay focused on yourself and being the best you can be. Charm will help you bypass trouble. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Emotions must be dealt with sensibly. You can feel sorry for someone, but don't take on problems that don't belong to you, or you will be blamed for meddling. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) — A change of plans will play in your favor. If you take the path of least resistance, you will have time left over to spend enjoyably with a loved one. Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) — Step outside your comfort zone and test the waters. You will discover something inter- esting about who you are and what you are capable of doing. Don't hesitate to experiment. Sagittarius (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) — If you put some muscle behind the changes you want to make at home, you will accom- plish what you set out to do. Emotional interference will arise if you go over budget. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Uncertainty must not be allowed to lead you into a precarious or vulnerable situa- tion. Face whatever comes your way head-on, so that you can go about your business without worry. Horoscope By Eugenia Last WEDNESDAY, FEB. 8 | YOURDAILYBREAK | REDBLUFFDAILYNEWS.COM WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2017 2 B