DEAR ABBY: My parents got divorced when I was 11 months old. My dad got married again, and he and his wife live in Pennsylvania and I live in New Hampshire.
I have called my stepmother "Auntie" since I was old enough to talk, and I am sick of it. I would like to call her by her first name like everybody else does. I asked my dad if it would be OK, and he said, "No. It is disrespectful for children to call adults by their first name." Abby, I don't want to call her "Auntie" anymore.
What should I do? Sign me ... CONFUSED 11-YEAR-OLD IN NEW HAMPSHIRE
DEAR CONFUSED: Your father is right. It is disrespectful for children to call adults by their first name unless the adult has asked the child to do so.
However, there might be a chance for you and your stepmother to become good pals. Tell her that you would like to call her by another name; perhaps the two of you can work on it together. I think she would be flattered to be taken into your confidence.