Welcome to Ask Clare, our advice column. Have a question, dilemma, or quandary? Send it to Clare in an email or on her Facebook page.
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Clare,
I’m a single dad with two teenage kids. My daughter is going to the Wet n’ Wild water park with friends next week. She’s pretty overweight but when she showed me some of the suits she wanted me to order online, they were all tiny. I don’t know how to encourage her to pick something a little more flattering and modest. I definitely don’t want to give her body images with my comments but fear that her friends or others at the park may be rude
– Dad dilemma
Dad dilemma,
Why don’t you find some options you think are appropriate and get her opinion? You may even want to go to a store and have her try on a few things to see what she’s comfortable in. Try to be sensitive if she’s insecure and don’t mention her weight.
– Clare
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Clare,
I live in a condo and have a small balcony that gives me a view of my neighbor’s gated patio area. I don’t think she knows that I can see her from my balcony – or she just doesn’t care. She routinely goes out there naked in the early morning for her coffee. Should I say something to her? I don’t want to just avoid using my balcony if she happens to be out there nude.
– Not a bad view
Not a bad view,
May as well enjoy the view – just don’t be a creep about it.
– Clare
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Clare,
I don’t drink and my friends have started taking advantage by always having me be the DD. I definitely don’t want them drinking and driving but I am tired of feeling like an unpaid Uber driver. When I want to go home early, they beg me to stay but I know it is because they want a lift home. How can I turn this around without upsetting anyone?
– Driving me crazy
Driving me crazy,
Are your friends buying you dinner on occasion? Are they letting you drive their cars? They should be. If not, tell them you’re planning to leave early when you go out so that they can make arrangements. You can also make a joke to your friends when the tab comes about your DD discount. Hopefully, they’ll get the hint.
– Clare
