DEAR ABBY: I'm 17 and the youngest in the family. My dad is cheating on my mom. My mom knows and has even told him she knows he's having an affair. He didn't apologize. His response was that he would still meet the other lady.
For the past few months, Mom has been gathering evidence so she can divorce him. None of my other siblings know. I feel they should, but Mom doesn't want them to.
I am angry at my dad for making Mom suffer so much for so long. Besides his hard work ethic, he has never been the father I wanted to have. He hides money and is quick to anger. Everything negative he does sticks to him. What should I do to help my mom, and should I tell my siblings? -- DAD IS CHEATING
DEAR D.I.C.: You seem to have a great deal of insider knowledge about your parents' marital difficulties, and it appears that has happened because your mother chose to confide in you. That's a heavy burden for one so young to carry, and it wasn't fair to you.
Although you want to help your mother through this, I do not think you are equipped to do more than remain supportive and honor her request not to tell your siblings. She may be handling as much as she can right now without having to deal with more emotional turmoil, and they will find out soon enough.