DEAR ABBY: My 57-year-old sister has had many career problems. She's well-educated, personable, professional and punctual, but she quits or is let go from one job after another within weeks because "it wasn't a good fit." She seems to be holding out for what she had 25 years ago -- a well-paying position supervising clerks. But jobs like that don't exist anymore.
She's excellent at working with small children and the elderly and has significant experience doing so, but she believes such jobs are "beneath" her. I'm her only close relative, and I'm afraid she'll eventually turn to me for financial support -- something my husband and I cannot afford to provide. What can I do or say to make her realize that a steady job is what she really needs for the next 10 years? -- SENSIBLE SIB IN ARIZONA
DEAR SENSIBLE SIB: Tell your sister exactly what you have written to me: "Sis, what you need is a steady job for the next 10 years, because if you're counting on support from me, I'm telling you now my husband and I can't afford to give it to you." It's short, sweet, and it may be the wake-up call she needs before it's too late.