DEAR ABBY: I am a 20-year-old single father of a beautiful 13-month-old little boy. His mother took off with my best friend when our son was only 2 months old. I have a good job, my own place and don't depend on anyone, but I wish I could go back to school so I could provide my son with an even greater future.
I would like to get my high school diploma, go on to college, and become a police officer and mentor young fathers like myself. I don't have any support from my parents as far as my education goes. My mom says to be happy with what I have and stop being selfish.
Is it selfish to want more out of life? Right now I am just living paycheck to paycheck. -- SINGLE FATHER IN HOUSTON
DEAR SINGLE FATHER: Selfish? Quite the opposite! While I agree with your mother that a person should be happy with what he or she can't change, I don't think that philosophy applies when it comes to furthering one's education.
Pick up the phone, call the high schools in your area, and ask about adult education programs so you can get your GED -- the equivalent of a high school diploma. With that in hand, you will qualify for entry into a community college. There is no reason why, in time, you cannot fulfill your dream. Others have done it; go for it! You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.