DEAR ABBY: My mom told me that when I get engaged, she is going to hire a PI to investigate my fiance! I know that parents can be concerned, but this seems to me like total paranoia.
She told me a story she saw in the news about a seemingly normal man who ended up killing people to steal their money to pay for his wedding. That's scary, but I don't think it warrants hiring a PI to follow my future fiance around. I think my mom is going beyond being overprotective. What do you think? -- FEELING CONFLICTED
DEAR FEELING CONFLICTED: I agree with you. What your mother is proposing is the definition of helicopter parenting. If your boyfriend were to find out, it would be the end of your romance. Perhaps you should ask your mother how she would feel if your fiance's family hired a detective to shake your family tree. I'll bet she wouldn't like it one bit.