Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/558491
DILBERT ScottAdams PEARLSBEFORESWINE StephanPastis PICKLES BrianCrane BABYBLUES JerryScott&RickKirkman PHOEBEANDHERUNICORN DanaSimpson ZITS JerryScott&JimBorgman SHERMAN'SLAGOON JimToomey ARGYLESWEATER ScottHilburn BIZARRO DanPiraro DEARAMY»I'ma godmother to a wonder- ful 7-year-old girl. Her mother is my best friend of 20 years. She is an excellent mom. I do not have any children. Recently the three of us and a group of girlfriends celebrated a "ladies weekend getaway." When we got to our destination, I overheard my god- daughter ask her mom if she was going to "get drunk." My heart broke a little. Later I was getting ready to join everybody in the pool, when the child came running to me, hysterically crying that her "mama was taking her clothes off." I peeked out the window and sure enough her mom was topless. Honestly, it's not that big a deal among the adults, and not so much out of character for my best friend, but her daughter was freaked out. I told her that Mom was being silly and that she should talk to her about her worries. She said she couldn't because she would get in trouble. She didn't want to return to the pool and so I stayed inside with her. Her mother came in about 20 minutes later. She told her daughter she was disappointed in her and that nude bodies were nothing to be ashamed of. (What was upsetting to the girl was seeing her mom drunk, removing her swimsuit and behaving foolishly.) I chimed in (bad idea?), saying I couldn't stand seeing this young girl be silenced about so m et hi ng t ha t wa s b ot h - ering her. My best friend said, "I'm trying to teach her that nudity is not shame- ful. She's very dramatic and freaks out about everything." I replied, "You should have an internal barometer about what's minor and major in regards to her 'freak-outs.'" She basically told me when I have kids of my own and am a perfect mother I should talk to her then. I understand this logic, but I felt like I had a responsibility to my god- daughter. Did I overreact? Did I do the right thing? What do you think? —Godmother DEAR GODMOTHER » I think you tried to advocate for a young child who, as you say, was put down and silenced by her mother at a time when she was distressed. Nudity aside, your adult friend's choice to teach her child what it is to be "drunk" shows very poor judgment. A parent who is drunk cannot respond to a child's distress ad- equately. A child should not be punished for finding something upsetting. A parent who is drunk in front of her child also cannot lecture another adult on being a "perfect mother." You did the right thing. Godmother intervenes over mom's drunken, nude swim 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 Leo(July23-Aug.22)—An unanticipated opportunity will come your way. Cast aside old ideas and methods and go after something new. Get out and promote yourself. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Family members and friends will offer helpful tips and strategies that will encourage greater per- sonal profits and less financial stress. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) — You know what your strengths are, so figure out a way to maximize the use of your skills. Jumping from one project to another will result in frustration. Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) — Know your true worth and act accordingly. If you sell yourself short, you won't get the results, money or respect you deserve. Sagittarius (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) — With your charm, you will gain favorable attention and make important connections. An idea you have previously disregarded will now prove to be a good and lucrative fit. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — When it comes to private matters, the less said the better. Being too open will leave you subject to gossip, criticism and a tarnished reputation. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Love and romance are encouraged. Be prepared to go the extra mile, and plan to do something special for someone you love. Pisces (Feb. 20-March 20) — Don't waste time reliving previous disappointments. You cannot change the past. To have a successful future, you need to put your efforts into what's happening in the here and now. Aries (March 21-April 19) — Don't count on others. You will be left in the lurch and end up looking bad. See all of your projects through to the end for the best results. Taurus (April 20-May 20) — A reward is in order for the work and time you've put in. Do something you enjoy with the people you care about the most. A daytrip will do you good. Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Mental and physical chal- lenges will keep your body in shape and your mind sharp. Follow your passion, and don't be deterred by negativity. Love and romance are highlighted. Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Concentrate on your domestic situation and finding ways to cut corners. Ask for help if you need it, but don't let others know the details of your finan- cial status. Horoscope By Eugenia Last WEDNESDAY, AUG. 19 WEDNESDAY,AUGUST19,2015 REDBLUFFDAILYNEWS.COM |YOURDAILYBREAK | 3 B