Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/672481
DILBERT ScottAdams PEARLSBEFORESWINE StephanPastis PICKLES BrianCrane BABYBLUES JerryScott&RickKirkman THEDUPLEX GlennMcCoy ZITS JerryScott&JimBorgman SHERMAN'SLAGOON JimToomey ARGYLESWEATER ScottHilburn BIZARRO DanPiraro DEARAMY»Mywife's daughter (age 26) has lived with us for the past five years. She pays rent of $400. Her boyfriend of three years now also lives with his parents, but he pays them no rent. They party every weekend and then she stays the week- end at her boyfriend's parents' house. I added tougher rules at our house in hopes they would get a place of their own. It hasn't happened. We don't allow him to spend the night and when we go to bed, he must go home. He bought her a "promise ring," I believe to keep her from nagging about their next step. I love my stepdaugh- ter, but as a parent I feel we need to give her a big- ger push to move out and become self-sufficient. She talks about staying here until her school loan is paid off, but at the rate she's paying, it would be a decade. I believe her boyfriend has no intention of ever moving from his parents' house. It seems strange to me that they don't want a place of their own. I try and encourage our daugh- ter to save money so that they could buy a house, but each time I bring it up, she gets defensive. Any suggestions? —Frustratedin Portland, OR DEAR FRUSTRATED » The last thing you should do is encourage your step- daughter to cohabit with her boyfriend. Nor should you point her/them toward buying a house. Her boyfriend sounds dependent on his parents and you can assume that he will remain so. These two are not can- didates for cohabitation or homeownership. The way to put the squeeze on your renter is to gradually increase her rent until she is paying roughly market value. Then it will be obvious that she can afford to live elsewhere. You can discuss this with her as a fa m il y , he l pi ng h e r t o s et goals and a timeline, and then you should start the clock running. Depend- ing on where you live, she might be able to afford to rent a room in a house. This would be a good option for her; it would get her further out in the world and might provide an incentive to work more, party less, and get on with her life. I assume she would prefer this to you and her mother controlling her romantic choices in your home. DEAR AMY » Here's another response to the whole "teens and tattoos" question. When my son was an early teenager he wanted his ears pierced. We told him he had to wait until he was 15. By 15 he had lost interest. When at 16 he decided he wanted a tattoo, we told him he had to wait until he was 18. Again, he decided against it. He is now 28 and has said that he is glad we gave him a wait- ing period rather than just saying no. It left the decision up to him when the time came. — Proud Parents DEAR PROUD » Very wise. Thank you. Stepparent wants to push his stepdaughter out of the nest You can contact Amy Dickinson via email: askamy@tribpub.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 Taurus(April20-May20)— You've got the edge. Your ability to foresee trends and make quick, sound decisions will make you the go-to person. Interviews and meetings look promising. Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Don't let anyone entice you down a path that leads to bad habits, unhealthy pastimes or unsavory influences. Cancer (June 21-July 22) — If you look at the bright side of any situation, you will find it much easier to convince others to join in. Use your knowledge and expertise to bring about positive change. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Personal changes will enhance your appearance and give you the strength and courage to improve your life. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Participation will be in your best interest. Attending functions that allow you to show off your intelligence and skills will put you in a good position and draw interesting proposals. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) — Emotional issues are best thought through before you make a move. Concentrate on how you can benefit. You can't change others, but you can change yourself. Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) — You can gather valu- able information by attending a function that addresses some of your concerns. If you make creative suggestions, you will have an opportunity to team up with someone interesting. Sagittarius (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) — Personal change will lead to good fortune. Consider the people you have dealt with in the past and revise your list of friends. Cut out the middleman. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — You've got everything going for you, so don't let someone ruin your plans. Walk away from anyone who shows signs of pro- crastination or unpredictability. Speak up and take action. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — If you look over personal pa- pers and investments, you will find that you have more assets than you realize. Invest in your skills and ideas in order to set your long-term plans in motion. Pisces (Feb. 20-March 20) — Refuse to let anyone take you for granted or limit what you can do. Get involved in groups or events that you believe make a difference. Make your time and effort count. Aries (March 21-April 19) — Professional concerns will stir up emotions. It's time to invest in your skills, knowledge and expertise, as well as to put your finances in order. Money is heading your way. Horoscope By Eugenia Last THURSDAY, APRIL 28 THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2016 REDBLUFFDAILYNEWS.COM |YOURDAILYBREAK | 3 B