DEAR ABBY: I am the happily married mother of two teen-agers.
Something disturbing has happened recently. I find myself attracted to my daughter's boyfriend. He is 19 and I am 46.
I'm no "Mrs. Robinson," and I would never reveal how I feel. When he's here, I behave in nothing but an adult, motherly manner. However, my thoughts and fantasies about him are far from "motherly." This has bothered me for months.
This has never happened before. I know I have to cope with it like anyone else with a secret crush, but I feel like such a fool.
Am I abnormal? Have you ever heard of a mom falling for a kid the age of her children? Please don't make fun of me; I feel silly enough already. And please don't even mention which state this letter came from. -- SMITTEN
DEAR SMITTEN: You are not abnormal, and yes, I have heard of women falling for men the age of their children. I suspect there are many adults (of both sexes) who have found themselves attracted to their children's friends, but would never admit it.
The important consideration is not that you have these feelings, but that you neither reveal nor act on them. As long as your fantasies remain fantasies, they are harmless.