DEAR ABBY: Last weekend some family members were at my mom's house for a meal. My 6-year-old son and my cousin's 4-year-old daughter were playing in the room my mom had set up for the grandkids.

When I went to check on them, I noticed the bathroom door was closed, so I knocked. My son answered, sounding rather panicked. I asked if "Jenny" was in there with him. He said no, then opened the door, but he looked scared, as if he knew he had done something wrong, and glanced nervously at the closed shower curtain.

Sure enough, there was Jenny, standing in the tub with her bathing suit around her ankles trying to get it back on. I told her to put her clothes on and took my son outside to speak with him. "Rory" admitted they were showing each other their private parts and had touched and rubbed them. I asked him why and where he learned how to do that, and he implied it was his idea!

Abby, he has never seen any adult movies, magazines, love scenes, or caught me or anyone else in the act. Why on earth would this be on his mind at such a young age? Do you think he needs counseling? -- WORRIED MOM IN CALIFORNIA

DEAR WORRIED MOM: No. Playing doctor is a game children have played ever since curiosity was born. I think you need to talk to your child's pediatrician and ask if this behavior is normal at this age.

DEAR ABBY: I have had very few female friends in my life. I have a hard time relating to other women. My fiance doesn't approve of me having close friendships with other men.

I recently met a lesbian couple whose company I enjoy. My fiance doesn't like us being friends because "they are trying to turn me gay." Abby, this is ridiculous. I have never been attracted to women, and these ladies have never brought up the possibility that I may be lesbian, as they know I am straight.

How can I make my fiance come to terms with our friendship? I'm thinking of calling off the engagement. -- STRAIGHT GIRL IN THE SOUTH

DEAR STRAIGHT GIRL: Has it become clear to you yet how insecure and controlling your fiance appears to be? Straight people are not "turned gay" because they have lesbian or gay friends. You can talk at him until the cows come home, but unless he is willing/able to overcome his bias, he won't believe you.

This is my long-winded way of advising you to find a more open-minded, secure man to marry because it doesn't take a crystal ball to predict that the one you're engaged to will eventually make you feel isolated, trapped and unhappy.

DEAR ABBY: Regarding the gent from Texas who likes to wear blue nail polish, there exists a famous fresco dating from 1500 B.C. or earlier from the palace of Knossos. The fresco was dubbed "The Prince" by British archaeologists and depicts a long-haired male stripped to the waist wearing blue fingernail polish and blue toenail polish. The original now resides in the Heraklion Archeological Museum in Knossos on the island of Crete. Any good art history book will have a reproduction of this well-known work of art. -- RON F. IN RICHMOND, VA.

DEAR RON: Thanks for the heads up, and for confirming that fashion trends are cyclical. Sooner or later, what seems passe today is certain to come around again.

DEAR ABBY: I am a widow who has fallen in love with a wonderful man who is almost 30 years my junior. He proclaims his love for me every day, and I know it's real. I have been warned by others to be aware of "devious males on the make for comfortably situated widows." After discussing it with the man, I have determined this is not his motive.

Right now, we're good friends who love each other's company. If marriage is in the future for us, I'm afraid of the age factor. He is not. Could you comment and give me some guidance? -- CAUTIOUS IN KANSAS

DEAR CAUTIOUS: Everyone knows there are devious males -- and females -- out there, but not all men are predators. If your friend is financially independent, then it's unlikely he's looking for a sugar mama. While it is unusual, I know several couples in which the wife is considerably older than the husband, and they seem very happy together.

If and when you plan to marry, it makes sense to discuss this with your attorney and have a prenuptial agreement created. If your friend has no ulterior motives, he will understand it's for the protection of both of you and sign it. You have only one life to live -- so live it without worrying about what others may think.

DEAR ABBY: I just opened my social media account and saw a friend had posted her daughter's report card -- all A's. She then went on to say how proud she was of her because she is also co-captain of her school's volleyball team, and mentoring other students, etc. You get the picture.

My son is suffering from depression and social anxiety, and we are fighting to keep him from failing all his classes. He's going to therapy and is on medication.

Abby, isn't it in poor taste to publicly show your child's report card? My son used to get straight A's before his depression, and I would have never posted his grades. Now I am becoming resentful of friends whose kids are doing well. What advice can you give me besides not opening up my social media account again? -- BAD FEELINGS

DEAR BAD FEELINGS: I hope you realize that what this friend is doing is the same as parents who plaster bumper stickers on their vehicles that read "MY CHILD IS AN HONOR STUDENT." If this woman's posts upset you because of the challenges your son is dealing with, customize your social media feed to omit posts from her. That way you won't have to cut yourself off from social media entirely.

DEAR ABBY: Have you ever -- out of the blue -- thought of someone you hadn't seen, heard from or thought of in a long time, and later discovered they died around that time? This has happened to me more times than I can count. No one I have spoken with -- friends or family -- has experienced this. Have you ever heard of this phenomenon, and is there a name for it? -- MISS J. IN OKLAHOMA

DEAR MISS J.: I have never had that experience, but I have heard of the phenomenon. It's called either ESP or coincidence, depending upon which psychic plane you dwell. However, I have had friends "pop into my head" and thought I should give them a call, only to hear from them a few days later.

DEAR ABBY: My husband and I are pregnant with our first child. We are beyond excited and can't wait for our little one to get here. Our problem: My mother-in-law is getting married two weeks after our baby is supposed to arrive, and she's expecting all of us to go.

While I'm happy she has found someone she wants to spend her life with, I will not be there and neither will our child. I have told my husband this and explained my concerns, but I will support him if he decides to go since it's his mother.

How can I turn her down in a polite way so it doesn't sound like I'm a horrible daughter-in-law? -- FIRST-TIME MAMA

DEAR FIRST-TIME MAMA: Unless a woman is having a C-section, babies don't always arrive on the expected due date. Sometimes they can be a week late -- or more. If you feel you need time to rest, recuperate and get your child on a regular nursing schedule, tell that to your mother-in-law.

As a new mother you are going to have to quickly learn to prioritize, and your child's well-being and your health must come first. Expect her to be disappointed, but make clear that you love her and wish her a lifetime of happiness, but you will be unable to attend.

DEAR ABBY: Is it OK for an older woman to wear fancy, colorful tights? My wife is 5 feet tall and weighs 110. She's in good health and works out at the gym regularly. She wears her tights there, or when she's working in the garden or at the market. She dresses conservatively for work and church.

I overheard some of the local ladies say she shouldn't be wearing leopard tights "at her age." I'm afraid my wife will overhear it one of these days and be hurt. What is your opinion? She still looks wonderful to me. -- MARRIED TO A HOTTIE

DEAR MARRIED: As an adult -- and in good shape -- your wife should wear anything that pleases her, including leopard tights if she wishes. It appears the local women are more jealous kitties than ladies. "Nice" ladies don't make catty comments behind someone's back.

DEAR ABBY: On Oct. 11 you printed my letter about feeling like an overlooked middle child. In the comments on your website was an outpouring of support and friendly tips. I am happy to say I am now involved in extracurricular activities. I'm much happier, and would like to thank all your readers who took the time to give me so much support. -- FORMERLY NOWHERE IN INDIANA

DEAR FORMERLY NOWHERE: Thank you for letting us know that you're happier and doing better. Dear Abby readers are the most caring and generous people in the world. I'm glad their comments in response to your letter gave you the boost you needed to get through a difficult time.