DEAR ABBY: I am 17 and have been dating "Matt" for two years. We just started attending a small college together. Although I care for Matt, I am hoping that as our freshman year progresses, I can date other boys. (Matt is the only boy I have ever dated.) My mother is furious that Matt and I are attending the same school. She doesn't like him and has made it clear she wants me to break up with him.
Abby, should I tell Matt now that I want to date other people and just break up with him out of the blue? I tried to break up with him once before, and he became hysterical.
What should I do? -- STRESSED IN THE MIDWEST
DEAR STRESSED: It would be beneficial for both of you to make a fresh start in college. Tell him you want to date others -- your mother demands it -- and that he should date others, too. If he becomes "hysterical" again, urge him to seek counseling at the student health center. He appears to need it because he is overly dependent on you, and that's not healthy for either of you.