DEAR ABBY: My brother "Jared" is dating a woman, "Dawn," who is about 10 years younger. They have been seeing each other for about a year. She seems nice and is polite at family gatherings.
I have noticed, however, that whenever I'm spending time with my mother, Dawn is constantly texting or calling her. I'm a grown woman, too, but I never communicated to that degree with any of my boyfriends' mothers.
Jared has told both Mom and me that he isn't even close to wanting to propose marriage. Do you think it's peculiar that Dawn contacts my mother multiple times daily? -- TAKEN ABACK IN GEORGIA
DEAR TAKEN ABACK: Dawn may not have a mother of her own and need a mother figure, which is why she does this. Or she may be attempting to ingratiate herself to her boyfriend's mother because she thinks it will help her land your brother. Not knowing Dawn, I can't say for sure -- but this technique has worked for other women in the past.