DEAR ABBY: I overheard my cousin, "Jenny," tell our 16-year-old daughter that it was OK to consume alcohol, and that she was welcome to drop by her house any time if she wanted a drink. (Thank heaven she lives more than a hour and a half away!)
While I trust my daughter not to take Jenny up on her "offer," I think she was out of line. Do teens really need the added pressure of an irresponsible adult telling them it's OK to drink before they reach the legal age limit? How should I handle this if it happens again? -- MIFFED IN MARYLAND
DEAR MIFFED: For Jenny to have made such an offer is a blatant attempt to circumvent your parental authority. Do not stand for it. Remind your cousin that providing alcohol to minors is against the law, and let her know that if it happens you'll inform the police. As a parent, your first responsibility is to your child.