DEAR HARRIETTE: I feel so bad for the people in Boston after the marathon bombings. I want to give money to help. I'm a little afraid, though, of where to send my money. I hear that there has been a lot of money collected already and there are scam businesses set up to divert the money going to victims of the bombing. I know I can go to the Red Cross, but what if I want to give another charity a chance? How can I do it safely? -- Wanting to Give, Philadelphia

DEAR WANTING TO GIVE: It is wonderful how generous people have been in the wake of this tragedy. And you are right to be wary of how to give. I also like the idea of sharing the wealth with a variety of charities, but you need to be sure your choice is legitimate.

The IRS has come up with a few guidelines for safe charitable giving:

-- Donate to qualified charities. Use the Exempt Organizations Select Check tool at IRS.gov to find qualified charities. Only donations to qualified charitable organizations are tax-deductible. You can also find legitimate charities on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) website at fema.gov.

-- Be wary of charities with similar names.

-- Don't give out personal financial information. Do not give your Social Security, credit card of bank account numbers and passwords to anyone who solicits a contribution from you. Scam artists use this information to steal your identity and money.

-- Don't give or send cash. For security and tax record purposes, contribute by check, credit card or another way that provides documentation of the donation.

-- Report suspected fraud. Taxpayers suspecting tax or charity-related fraud should visit IRS.gov and perform a search using the keywords "Report Phishing."

DEAR HARRIETTE: Now that it is spring, people are dressing crazy. I saw one woman wearing a miniskirt, and as she crossed the street her skirt blew up in the air and exposed her panties. That was not cute at all. I saw another woman who didn't seem to even have on panties while wearing a sheer skirt. Now, I am no prude, but I do think people should at least take a look at themselves before they walk out the door. Can you please say something to these people about appropriate dress? -- Appalled, New York City

DEAR APPALLED: I have seen my fair share of too much body exposed, especially in warmer months. While I love fashion and like the idea of people having the freedom to express their unique personalities through their attire, I believe that we all should know where to draw the line.

I suggest that you think about your day before you leave your home. Make note of what you have to do and what is expected of you when you show up. That includes what you have to wear. Consciously decide how to dress so that you will feel empowered throughout the day. Once you are dressed, look at yourself in the mirror -- head to toe, front to back. Make sure that you like the way you look all the way around.

If you do that, chances are you will think twice about not putting on underwear or wearing something so short or so low-cut that you will not be comfortable all day long.

DEAR HARRIETTE: Every time I meet a young lady and start dating her, it turns into a platonic relationship. I don't know why. I am a kind man. I am very active in my church. I treat women with respect. I have good manners. Sometimes they call me a teddy bear. I am very tall and -- I'll just say it -- a big guy. I don't want to go on and on, but I really am a nice guy. Honestly, I think that's the problem. Maybe I am too nice. It seems like the guys who are deceitful or slick always get the girls. What can I do? -- Lonely Guy, Shreveport, La.

DEAR LONELY GUY: You have not met the right woman for you -- yet. Do not give up. What many people do not realize is that there are countless men who are having trouble finding a match.

As you know, it can be challenging to find the right person. To refine your search, make a list of the qualities that you desire in a partner. Be as specific as you can. Your list will help you to weed out poor prospects.

Now, write a list about yourself. What are your best qualities? What have women told you when they relegate you to the "friend" category? Do your best to remember anything specific about the feedback you have received. You may discover something about your behavior that you can modify. Do not give up!

DEAR HARRIETTE: Your answer to Mom in Shock about how her child and a friend were running down a fellow student for wearing the same clothing several times a week could have gone a step further -- on several fronts.

Instead of a handout directly to the schoolmate and/or her family, how about contributing to a program that helps multiple children at the school in a way that won't be embarrassing to the schoolmate and/or her family. Lots of these programs let the kids "shop" for their own outfits and run less risk/possible embarrassment of wearing clothes from an easily identified source.

And this way the daughter can help multiple children by giving her outgrown and/or unwanted items and learn about being sensitive to others' feelings and self-confidence. And the daughter will learn about continuing generosity. I think this is a win-win that keeps the recipients' dignity in mind.

Sometimes a women's league or hospital thrift shop (for example) runs such programs. Or check with the Salvation Army. -- Helping Hand, Chicago

DEAR HELPING HAND: Great ideas! Empowering children and eliminating embarrassment are so important. I love the idea of letting children "shop" for their own outfits.

Further on this topic is the perspective that many of us have on people wearing clothes repeatedly. This is one reason why some schools require uniforms. This takes the competition regarding wardrobe largely out of the equation. Another idea occurred to me as well: In other countries, there is little to no stigma to people -- children and adults alike -- wearing the same clothes often. We have lots to learn.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I can't believe that it is prom season already. I am worried because my daughter does not have a date for her special day. I don't want my daughter to go to the prom alone and feel lonely. What can I do to ensure my daughter will have a good time at her prom, even if she goes by herself? -- Prom Mom, New York City

DEAR PROM MOM: First, make sure your daughter wants to go to prom. It's fine if she doesn't. If she does, ask her if any of her friends will be going to the prom and if any of them are going solo. An option is for your daughter to go with a group of friends who would otherwise not have dates. Just as couples sometimes do, they can rent a limo and choose to spend the evening together as friends.

If she does not have other friends going solo, find out if any of her friends traveling with a date would be open to including her in any part of the evening. For example, you could host a pre-gathering where a group of friends comes to your house on the way to prom. That way they establish camaraderie in advance. At the event, they may spend a bit of time together, too.

Essentially, your daughter needs to identify someone or a group of people who will be kind to her at the event so that she does not feel isolated.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I have a very active 6-year-old son. He is very creative and he likes anything and everything any 6-year-old boy would like. His kindergarten teacher thinks he needs to take medicine to calm him.

Last week, my son had an outburst in class, which left some of his classmates shaken up. I went to discuss the situation with my son; he told me the kids were making fun of him and that resulted in the outburst. I think his teacher went to the extreme in this situation, and I would like to know how I should address his teacher for suggesting my child should take medicine? -- Happy Child, Unhappy Parent, Queens, N.Y.

DEAR UNHAPPY PARENT: Schedule a meeting with your son's teacher to review the situation -- including the recommendation for medicine. Ask the teacher to describe the scenario that prompted the suggestion. Repeat what your son shared. Ask the teacher if he has any tools for defusing outbursts and what steps are in place when children tease other children. Bullying of any kind should not be tolerated.

Ask why the teacher thinks your child needs medication. That is a strong statement coming from someone who is not a medical doctor. Hear the teacher out anyway. You may want to discuss the teacher's concerns with your son's pediatrician. In some cases, medication does help children. But it is also true that adequate time for daily physical activity can help to calm children down effectively. When children feel safe and heard, they often lash out less. If your child was being bullied, the other children deserve some type of reprimand as well.