DEAR ABBY: I am a single mother of a 7-year-old girl. Before we moved to a rural area, my daughter attended a private school where she flourished. However, after three years in public school here, she is struggling academically and her self-esteem has been challenged.
Every day I agonize over whether we ought to move or stay. I have a great job, wonderful friends and the lifestyle is comfortable. But the schools are awful. I remember how my daughter used to love going to school, but now she hates it.
I can't decide if we should move back to a larger city where there are more educational choices, or if we should remain here. Have you any thoughts on this? I want my daughter to gain stability, but I don't know if this is the place because school is such an important part of people's lives. -- MUST CHOOSE IN MARYLAND
DEAR MUST CHOOSE: What's more important to you -- your job, friends and lifestyle, or your daughter's future? Once you have answered that question, your choice will be easy.