DEAR ABBY: My boyfriend, "Shawn," and I have been having sex for three years. We are both seniors in college. My family is against sex before marriage, and I have told them that I am against it, too. I promised them that I wasn't having sex with Shawn.
Last week, my little sister, who is a freshman in high school, found my birth control pills in my car. She told my parents, and they asked me about it. I lied and told them they belonged to one of my friends.
Should I tell my parents the truth and just accept that we have different opinions, or continue to lie to them? -- CONFOUNDED IN SANTA BARBARA
DEAR CONFOUNDED: As a senior in college, I presume you are an adult. As an adult, you should be prepared to take responsibility for the decisions you make. Your parents are not stupid. Lying about your behavior is childish and, frankly, it is degrading to you and your relationship with Shawn. Therefore, you should tell your parents the truth, and apologize to them for lying.