DEAR ABBY: I'm 16 and a single mom of an almost 4-month-old girl. Her father is a drug addict. He manipulated me into having sex, which I had told him I didn't want to do until I was married. Also, I told him from the beginning of our relationship that if we ever got married and started a family, I never wanted drugs around my children.

The day I found out I was pregnant, he was there. However, later that night when I went out to the garage, I caught him snorting. Is it wrong of me to not involve him in her life? I've given him multiple chances to prove himself of being worthy. -- TEEN MOM

DEAR TEEN MOM: You're not wrong. As long as your boyfriend is involved with drugs, they will come first, and you and your child won't be able to count on him -- for anything. This is why it is crucial that you now make your education a priority and earn your high school diploma. You are going to need one -- and possibly further education -- in order to support the both of you. In the meantime, a counselor at your high school can guide you regarding financial aid if you need it.

DEAR ABBY: I am a 24-year-old Muslim woman who has fallen in love with an agnostic 35-year-old man, "William." The next step in our relationship is marriage, and my problem is our future kids.

My family expects me to marry a Muslim man and have Muslim children. William says that the kids may grow up not wanting to be Muslim, as I would like to raise them, and says he would support whatever they want to be.

I want my children to be Muslim, but I really love this man. My family and religion would not approve such a marriage. Do I walk away knowing I may never love a Muslim man the same way I love William, or marry William, risk the possibility of losing my family, and accept whatever else comes along on this difficult road? -- TORN ON THE WEST COAST

DEAR TORN: You appear to be a traditional, family-oriented young woman. I assume you are also involved in the Muslim community. If you marry William, the chances of losing all of that are great, and your likelihood of raising devout Muslim children in a household where both parents don't practice the religion will be less.

While you may not love someone else the way you love William, the chances that you will find someone else to love again are good. Because you had to ask me this question, I'm advising you to let William go. If you plan to go ahead with this, you need to have your eyes wide open about what the price will be -- because it will be high.

DEAR ABBY: My next-door neighbor keeps asking to use my lawn mower. When he uses it, he runs over stumps and garbage in his yard. I feel he's abusing my generosity. I have hinted that he should pick up things in the yard before he mows, but he never listens. How should I handle this? -- DULL BLADES IN WEST VIRGINIA

DEAR DULL BLADES: Stop beating around the bush instead of being direct. When your neighbor asks to borrow the mower again, tell him that in the past when he has returned it to you, the blades were dull and it created problems for you. Then say no.

DEAR ABBY: I am a single woman who borrowed $80,000 to send my daughter to college with the understanding that she would take over the payments once she was professionally established. She is now so "into" her new lifestyle that she is refusing to have contact with her "poor" birth mother. She refuses to take responsibility for repaying the loan, which is in my name, and says "tough luck" to my stupidity.

This means I will have to continue working until I drop dead. Abby, I am 60. Is there any help for me? Has this happened to other baby boomers? -- POOR BIRTH MOTHER IN GEORGIA

DEAR POOR: Sadly, yes it has. And no, there isn't help for you. Because the agreement with your daughter was verbal and wasn't put in writing, you don't have a legal means to force her to assume the loan payments.

DEAR ABBY: I have a difficult situation at work. A co-worker lost her driver's license two years ago, and I began providing her transportation. In the beginning it was occasional, but now it's almost daily. I don't know how to get out of this situation because it is taking a toll on me and my time.

She has somewhat compensated me for gas, but I have two jobs and family obligations that limit my time off, and I just can't continue this taxi service. We work side-by-side at my day job. I care about her and our friendship, but can no longer continue allowing her hardship to be my hardship. Abby, please advise how to break the news to her. -- NOT A TAXI SERVICE

DEAR NOT: Explain it to your co-worker just as you have explained it to me -- that it has become more time-consuming and stressful than you can handle, given your other obligations. Rather than cut her off cold turkey, give her some notice -- say a week -- to arrange for other transportation. Do not apologize or feel guilty about doing so. You have been more generous and supportive than many people would have.

P.S. You didn't mention why she lost her driving privileges, but if it's still possible for her to reapply for a driver's license, you should suggest it.

DEAR ABBY: My husband and I are part of a tight-knit social group. There are four couples who get together for dinner once or twice a week. We all decide on a theme beforehand and bring a dish, potluck-style. My problem is that one of the couples will announce during dinner, "Those potatoes are our leftovers from three days ago," or, "We had this for dinner last night."

Is it just me, or is that gross? I always prepare something fresh for these dinners, as does everyone else. They are not struggling for money, and time isn't the issue. Should I say something? I tend to ignore what they bring, but I think they will notice eventually. Is this something I should keep my mouth shut about? Or is it bad manners to feed someone else your leftovers? -- POTLUCK IN OREGON

DEAR POTLUCK: Bad manners? No. Lacking in tact? Yes. Keep in mind that some dishes taste better the next day, after the flavors have had time to meld. If the other couples in the group feel as you do, the "offending" couple should be informed. However, if you are the only person who's turned off, then keep your mouth shut and continue to "pass" on what they bring.

DEAR ABBY: Two years ago, I came out as male-to-female transgender. My wife has come around since then, and our second child will be born before I start my transition.

She has decided to stay with me, but occasionally she tells me she isn't sure if she can be married to a woman. On the other hand, she says she doesn't want to have to share custody of our children.

I have urged her to talk to a therapist, because she gets a few free sessions from her job. Because she doesn't like people knowing about her problems, she steadfastly refuses. I'm not sure what else to do. I won't make her stay if she can't handle it, but I refuse to tell her I'll give her full custody. -- LIVING MY TRUTH IN THE EAST

DEAR LIVING: If your wife prefers, out of concern for her privacy, not to talk to a therapist who's connected with her job, that is her choice. But that does not mean she shouldn't get counseling elsewhere to help her make rational decisions about her future. A support group that could also be helpful to her is the Straight Spouse Network (straightspouse.org), which has been mentioned before in my column.

As for you, my friend, you should consult a lawyer who specializes in family law and gender issues. Lambda Legal (lambdalegal.org) should be able to refer you. With help, you should be able to work out a fair and reasonable custody arrangement, should it become necessary.

DEAR ABBY: I'm a 73-year-old man. Over the years I have sometimes cried over sad, heartwarming stories in books or on TV, especially those involving children.

I have also lost several loved ones, and although I was as sad about these losses as anyone else, I was never able to shed tears over it.

Why do I cry over things that don't pertain to me or anybody in my life, but can't when someone I love passes away? Is something wrong with me? -- TEARLESS IN WICHITA

DEAR TEARLESS: Tears can be cathartic, but people react to death in different ways. Not everyone can cry on cue, even if it would be a relief to be able to. Sometimes there's just a deep "ache," like lead in one's chest. In your case, it may be less painful or threatening to cry over a sad movie than a funeral. When tears finally come (usually over something less significant), they can be more copious than one would expect because they have been bottled up.

DEAR ABBY: I'm a 73-year-old man. Over the years I have sometimes cried over sad, heartwarming stories in books or on TV, especially those involving children.

I have also lost several loved ones, and although I was as sad about these losses as anyone else, I was never able to shed tears over it.

Why do I cry over things that don't pertain to me or anybody in my life, but can't when someone I love passes away? Is something wrong with me? -- TEARLESS IN WICHITA

DEAR TEARLESS: Tears can be cathartic, but people react to death in different ways. Not everyone can cry on cue, even if it would be a relief to be able to. Sometimes there's just a deep "ache," like lead in one's chest. In your case, it may be less painful or threatening to cry over a sad movie than a funeral. When tears finally come (usually over something less significant), they can be more copious than one would expect because they have been bottled up.