Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/810552
DILBERT ScottAdams PEARLSBEFORESWINE StephanPastis PICKLES BrianCrane BABYBLUES JerryScott&RickKirkman THEDUPLEX GlennMcCoy ZITS JerryScott&JimBorgman SHERMAN'SLAGOON JimToomey ARGYLESWEATER ScottHilburn BIZARRO DanPiraro DEARAMY»Ihavebeen married for 15 years. My wife and I have three children. My in-laws are all the products of failed mar- riages, so there are blood relativ es a nd st ep r ela - tives to deal with. For years, my in-laws have told my children that my wife's stepmother's grandchil- dren are their cousins. This alone is NOT true, since these kids are only involved in our lives due to marriage. I just keep talking to my kids and explaining to them the way the family tree works, and that these kids are not their cousins. At one point, my oldest son got mad and told one of these kids that he was not his real cousin, and then my in-laws confront- ed my son about what he said. They were upset. Amy, I am not going to create a world that does not exist. Why should I al- low someone else to force my kids into it without consulting me first? They are stuck on taking in these kids that have zero blood relation to them. I stand my ground, and my wife thinks that I am an ass. Because there are no other siblings for her nor myself, she says that this is the closest to cousins that my kids will have. Your thoughts? —DisturbedDad DEAR DISTURBED » I agree with your wife: You are being an ass. Before you spend the rest of your life obses- sively poring over a fam- ily tree at every dinner, remember that "family" isn't some exclusive club that you get to join by having the same relatives. My own family is a web of second marriages, step-families, lifelong friends with family status. People in functioning and inclusive families will tell you that all you have to d o t o b e a pa rt o f a ny family is to be considered part of the family. This means being included, regardless of your biologi- cal status, and reveling in relationships that are aunt-like, grandparent- like or cousin-like. It is wise to explain all of these relationships to your children, but to use loaded terms like "real family" only underscores your ignorance. Your in-laws are doing a wonderful thing accept- ing these children, so put down the genealogy chart and apologize. You say that you don't want to create a world that doesn't exist by embracing these fam- ily members that aren't blood relatives. The good news is, if you continue to treat your wife's family this way, you won't have to worry about keeping the relatives in this family straight — given your lack of good manners, these family members might disregard you in favor of someone who is more accepting. DEAR READERS » Some- times people who dispense advice run out of answers. If you've ever been curious about the life behind my advice, read my new book, "Strangers Tend to Tell Me Things: A Memoir of Love, Loss, and Coming Home" (2017, Hachette). Dad has definite ideas of who is in the family, and who isn't 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 Aries(March21-April19)— Express your feelings and find out where you stand. A change in the way you treat someone will make a difference to your arrangement. Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Emotions will take control, giving rise to a number of issues that you will no longer be able to ignore. Speak up and follow your words with action. Gemini (May 21-June 20) — A partnership will offer surpris- ing opportunities to get ahead. Make an unexpected change to the way you present yourself and your abilities. Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Share, get involved and enjoy interacting with others. Do things your way and don't fear taking a unique approach. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Emotional discord is best handled with patience and tol- erance. If you don't agree with a person or group, continue down your own path without wasting time trying to persuade others. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Gather facts and knowledge that will help you make a smart decision regarding partnerships you are contemplating making or have already formed. Honesty is your best option. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) — If you approach money matters differently, you will avoid being taken advantage of or being taxed unfairly. Financial and legal information will help you counter a potential loss. Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) — Give your imagination the boost it needs to forge into un- familiar territory. Discovery will be the spark that allows you to turn small ideas into new pos- sibilities. Romance is favored. Sagittarius (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) — A chance to watch from the sidelines will give you the insight you need to determine who is and isn't being honest with you. Trust your intuition and act on your instincts. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — A discussion with someone you feel emotionally close to will help you iron out any foresee- able problems before they have a chance to develop. Alterations at home look promising. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — An emotional moment can spin out of control and ruin your plans. Keep an open mind and refuse to let anger take control. Concentrate on bringing about positive changes. Pisces (Feb. 20-March 20) — Use your intelligence and experience to develop an idea or plan you want to pursue. Explor- ing new possibilities will result in an opportunity for you to excel and do something special. Horoscope By Eugenia Last WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12 | YOURDAILYBREAK | REDBLUFFDAILYNEWS.COM WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12, 2017 2 B