DEAR ABBY: I have been married for 35 years. My oldest daughter, Amanda (now 39), wanted to find her "roots." I gave her as much info as I could find out about her dad, and she contacted and kind of enveloped herself into his family. Not good enough of a family, I guess, because now she has taken a DNA test. Now I'm really angry.
Amanda sent a text from an unknown "sister" asking if I knew who the daddy was. Why does the daddy du jour matter that much? Amanda was raised by a strong, loving and responsible man -- my husband. Are cheek swabs eliminating family? -- REAL FAMILY IN THE WEST
DEAR REAL FAMILY: On the contrary. They appear to be expanding "family" by leaps and bounds. Like many others, Amanda feels a need to know more about her background. You shouldn't feel angry about her curiosity because it's normal. That said, knowing the identity of her birth father should in no way lessen the importance of your husband in her life, particularly if they have had a close relationship.