DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: My mom sent me to dig out my birth certificate from our safe deposit box because I needed it for my new job. When I was getting it, I came across both my parents’ birth certificates, and I saw that according to my mom’s she is five years older than she always claims to be, and so, three years older than my dad.
I get woman’s vanity and all that, but why would she lie even to her family? It kind of hurts, and I just don’t understand, especially since I know what would have happened if I did the same thing in the other direction to fake my age back before I was legal. --- MY MOM’S A LIAR
DEAR MY MOM’S A LIAR: Getting creative about one’s age isn’t just for women. Plenty of men fib about their date of birth too.
So now you know how old your mom really is. While it may be important at some time in the future, for medical or legal purposes, for instance, what possible good could it do for you to confront her with your knowledge of her secret at this time? Your mom may have a good reason for her creative math, and if it doesn’t hurt anyone, why not leave it be for now?