DEAR ABBY: I have to respond to your reply to "Tammi's Mom in N.J." (June 21), whose daughter won't answer her texts at college. Our daughter, "Jill," attended college 12 hours from home. She would text me almost every day -- short, sweet messages always ending with "Luv U, XOXO." I looked forward to those texts because they were a lifeline to my daughter.

Tammi's Mom is coping with empty nest syndrome, which no child can understand until she experiences it one day herself. Thankfully, Jill knew how much her texts meant to me. They got me through four long years without her. I hope Tammi sees this and appreciates that she has a mom who isn't smothering her, but who loves and cares about her. -- REMEMBERING IN JOHNSTOWN, PA.

DEAR REMEMBERING: Thank you for sharing. I stressed to Tammi's Mom that her daughter is growing up and trying to establish independence. However, readers were quick to point out that Tammi still owes her mother the courtesy of keeping in touch:

DEAR ABBY: When I was away at college, many students expected their parents to pay their tuition and living expenses, but stay out of their lives. Tammi's Mom said she'd be happy with a call or text every two or three days. I don't think that is unreasonable.

I have lived several hundred miles away from my family for 10 years now. I enjoy a great deal of independence, but I know it worries my parents to have me so far away. I call them every day or two. These quick phone calls (usually only five minutes) help them see that I'm safe and happy, and also allow me to remain emotionally close to my family, even though I'm not geographically close.

Abby, asking for a quick text, which takes only a few moments, is not "helicopter parenting." -- INDEPENDENT GIRL IN ARIZONA

DEAR ABBY: To Tammi's Mom, I say -- it's time to get a life! Do things now that you've always wanted to do. If you're married, find things in common again. Sometimes when we raise our kids, we can become consumed with their wants and needs, and our marriages suffer.

Take up a new hobby and let your baby bird spread her wings. She'll thank you for it and will want to call you when you stop calling or texting every day. If you get yourself busy, you'll spend less time sitting by the phone. -- KNOWS FROM EXPERIENCE

DEAR ABBY: Until recently, I had two children in college -- one close to home, the other several hours away. Unfortunately, there is so much violence everywhere today and kids are vulnerable to it, especially around many colleges and universities.

Kids send hundreds of text messages a day to their friends. I don't think it's too much to ask for an occasional text from your child to make sure he or she is indeed safe. -- BILL IN BLOOMSBURY, N.J.

DEAR ABBY: When my daughter left for college, I told her I was not going to call her because I didn't want to intrude on her new life, but that I would be happy to talk to her anytime she called me. Doing this empowered my somewhat rebellious girl by putting her in charge. As a result, she would call me several times a week and our relationship was strengthened. -- WISE PARENT IN COLORADO

DEAR ABBY: While I was away at college, my dad was like Tammi's Mom, and it drove me nuts. So we compromised. Every Sunday morning at 9, Dad and I would talk on the phone. That way he could catch up on my week and know I was OK. Mom needs to give her daughter space. -- COLLEGE GRAD IN ILLINOIS

DEAR ABBY: If Tammi's Mom is paying for her daughter's phone, the girl should answer when Mom calls. I told my daughter if she ever ignored my calls or texts again, I would have her phone turned off. We chat a lot now. -- DAD WHO PAYS IN GEORGIA

DEAR ABBY: My daughter "Anissa" is 3 and has an older cousin, "Billy," on my fiance's side who is 5. Billy has been caught on several occasions showing his "manhood" to little girls, and we recently found out he took Anissa into a pop-up tent and showed her as well. This was not on my watch, because I don't feel comfortable leaving them alone together.

After I learned about the incident, I was told that Billy had done this with another cousin and told her it was a "secret" and not to tell.

Abby, as far as I know, Billy was spoken to at great length and reprimanded after the first few occurrences, but he continues to do this, it seems, at every opportunity he gets.

Is this normal behavior for boys? I think the parents are burying their heads in the sand. They get defensive when the subject is brought up. Personally, all I can do is keep Anissa within arm's reach when Billy is around. What do you think? -- NOT ON MY WATCH

DEAR NOT: I think that's intelligent. Although children are naturally curious when they learn there's a difference between boys and girls (hence the genesis of playing "doctor"), Billy appears to be overly preoccupied. Because he is telling the girls to keep what he's doing a secret, he knows he is doing something wrong. Repeated naughty actions can be corrected only if there are consequences for them, and it appears a lengthy talking-to and a reprimand haven't gotten through to the child.

DEAR ABBY: I need your assistance resolving an awkward situation. I have noticed other women experiencing "wardrobe malfunctions." In each instance, they were otherwise tastefully dressed but seemingly unaware of the sheerness of their clothing. For example, one was wearing white slacks through which the patterned fabric of her underwear could be seen clearly.

Is there a polite way to alert them of the problem, or is it better to say nothing? Most of these women were strangers, but I couldn't think of tactful wording even when it happened to a friend. -- JUST TRYING TO HELP

DEAR JUST TRYING: If it's a friend, say, "Honey, I can see the pattern of your underwear through your slacks," and it will probably be appreciated. However, if it's a stranger, keep your comment to yourself because it probably won't be.

DEAR ABBY: I thought "Arlene" was a close friend until I heard that she and another "friend" had arranged a trip to the theater. Several other women were also invited, but I wasn't. I should point out that when Arlene and I attended shows in the past, I was always the one buying the tickets.

I paid for her golf dues last October because she was a little short, and she still owes me about $1,000. I provided her transportation to the golf club for the last four years because she doesn't have a car. Arlene and I have shared many shopping trips together, and I have always picked up the tab for lunch.

What's your take on this? I'm crushed!-- LEFT OUT

DEAR LEFT OUT: If this was a one-time event, then it's time to straighten up and "uncrush" yourself because, regardless of how much money you have invested in your relationship with Arlene, you don't "own" her. My take on this is that in your zeal to be a good friend you have gone overboard.

If being excluded is an ongoing problem, then you and this woman are not as close as you assumed, or she has decided to take a breather. In that case, my advice is to work out a payment plan for the golf dues you are owed and widen your circle of friends.

DEAR ABBY: We have a large condo in Florida and are thrilled to have family and friends visit. I keep a small calendar of our appointments, events, etc. in the corner of my kitchen. A few of our visitors have made it their business to read the calendar and ask me who and what these events are all about.

My husband and I have been having some marriage problems and are seeing a therapist. One relative noticed these appointments and wanted to know "what that was all about"! Abby, isn't it rude to read someone's personal calendar and ask these kinds of questions? I must leave the calendar where it can be seen or my husband doesn't remember medical appointments, etc. -- CALENDAR GIRL

DEAR CALENDAR GIRL: Of course it's rude to read someone's personal calendar. (It's called snooping.) Before the next houseguests come to visit, relocate the calendar to a private area. Then remind your husband about his appointments. That way he will know the schedule, and there will be nothing to arouse anyone's curiosity.

DEAR ABBY: Why can't bakeries slice English muffins and bagels completely through? Nobody eats either one without toasting them and slicing them first.

Along the same line: Why do loaves of bread have "ends"? Everybody throws them away and they are wasted. -- MINA IN KELSO, WASH.

DEAR MINA: English muffins aren't meant to be sliced. To prepare them at their best, they should be purchased whole and the perimeter perforated using a fork so the muffin can then be torn apart before toasting. This leaves lots of irregular nooks and crannies so when they are buttered, they are even more succulent.

As to the ends of bread loaves (called "heels"), not everyone throws them away, just as not everyone cuts the crusts off. Some people enjoy the heels because they make for a chewier sandwich.