Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/450485
DILBERT ScottAdams PEARLSBEFORESWINE StephanPastis PICKLES BrianCrane BABYBLUES JerryScott&RickKirkman GETFUZZY DarbyConley ZITS JerryScott&JimBorgman SHERMAN'SLAGOON JimToomey ARGYLESWEATER ScottHilburn BIZARRO DanPiraro DEARAMY»My16-year- old daughter identifies as "gender fluid." Sometimes she dresses traditionally feminine, and sometimes she dre sses m ore tra di- tionally masculine and asks her friends to refer to her as a "he." When she dresses masculine, she wears a breast bind- er under her clothing. Unfortu- nately she inherited my DDD figure, and her binder doesn't fit her body well. When she wears it under a tight- fitting shirt, it looks awkward and definitely not masculine. She is saving money to buy a better-fitting binder, but they're expensive and I don't have any extra money to put toward it. I've gently suggested that she add a sweatshirt when she wears it to school, but I think she thinks I'm being intolerant. No matter how she de- cides to live her life, I feel like part of my job as her mother is to help her at least be presentable and appropriate, but how do I do that without sounding judgmental? —HelpfulMom DEAR MOM » Since time immemorial, mothers have been trying to influ- ence their teens' fashion choices — always in the interest of what is most tasteful, attractive, flatter- ing or appropriate. Make whatever sugges- tion you want, knowing that it is your right to do so, and knowing that your child will probably reject it. If your teen's fashion choices don't violate an institutional dictum at school, then cover your eyes and let it go. DEAR AMY » I found out a while ago that my boy- friend had a "friends with benefits" relationship with someone 16 years older. The first time I heard about it I ignored him for a day. Didn't acknowledge him, didn't talk to him and felt disgusted by him. I know guys have stupid, weird and crazy fantasies about older women. I finally got over it because I realized how much I love him. This topic came up again the other day while we were having dinner with one of my friends. I told my boyfriend out loud how disgusting it was. That woman was almost old enough to be his mom! He said he liked it because she had "the body of an 18-year-old." Somehow I sense a little pride in what he did and I want to puke. Why did he do this? — Disgusted DEAR DISGUSTED » I'm assuming that your boyfriend was of legally consenting age when he had this relationship with the older woman and that the relationship oc- curred before you two got together. Declaring a relation- ship he enjoyed to be "disgusting" makes you sound petty, ageist and jealous. You should let this go — otherwise your behavior makes a strong argument for him to be in a relationship with some- one more mature. And we already know he likes older women. 'Gender fluid' identification brings on teenage fashion fits You can contact Amy Dickinson via email: askamy@tribune.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) — Don't exaggerate what you are capable of doing. Let your credentials speak for you, so you don't face someone eager to make you look incompetent. Pisces (Feb. 20-March 20) — Stick to your plans. Social mingling and events will lead to arguments or hurt feelings. The more you can do on your own, the better off you will be. Aries (March 21-April 19) — Your energy will lag if you don't push yourself. If you make an effort to get out, you will be motivated to build momentum and reach your goals. Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Turn down demanding or intimidating colleagues. Don't let current events lead to confu- sion. Honesty will be essential. Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Focus on caring and sharing. Stay away from the battlefield and consider what you can do to make the people who are impor- tant to you feel more secure and comfortable. Cancer (June 21-July 22) — You can make a difference by visiting or checking in with a friend or relative. Work at main- taining good relationships with family, friends and neighbors. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Rejuvenate the love you feel for someone. This is not the time to be shy and timid. Share your feelings and make plans that will enhance your personal and romantic lives. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Look after your health. A new aid or natural remedy can bring you peace of mind. Check out products that boost your comfort level and make you feel good about your appearance. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) — Love is on the rise. Host a gathering or attend an event outside the home. Surrounding yourself with friends and up- beat people will stimulate your romantic life. Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) — Minor annoyances at home will have to be dealt with before the situation spins out of con- trol. Don't rely on others to help you out; you will get more done on your own. Sagittarius (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) — An enjoyable excursion will provide inspiration for a unique venture. New exper- iences will heighten your instincts and spark ideas, so be bold and make things happen. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Visualize your ideal future. By pinpointing your aspirations, you will be able to strategize and implement what you need to be successful. Horoscope By Eugenia Last THURSDAY, JAN. 22 THURSDAY,JANUARY22,2015 REDBLUFFDAILYNEWS.COM |YOURDAILYBREAK | 3 B