Dear Abby - Begging mom needs help, not a lecture

DEAR ABBY: I went to the market the other day, and there was a woman sitting on the sidewalk with a boy who looked to be about six and a girl about two. She was holding a sign asking for money. I wanted so badly to say something to her about what a poor example she was setting for her children by begging. It made me angry because I imagine she's using her kids as "props" to evoke sympathy.

I would think she could better present herself to her kids by looking for a job. What would have been an appropriate comment to make to her that might help put her on the right track to show her kids how to grow up to be responsible people who work for a living? -LOOKING OUT FOR CHILDREN IN IRVINE, CALIF.

DEAR LOOKING: It's wrong to assume anything when you see someone who is panhandling. The woman you saw could have been homeless, drug-addicted, short on money or mentally ill. She could also have fled an abusive husband or partner.

If you had said anything at all, you might have offered that there are dozens of shelters and organizations in Irvine that help the unfortunate, and if she reached out to them, she might find the help she needs to get settled and find a job.

DEAR ABBY: My six-year-old grandson, "Joey?, prefers girl things to boy things, and has since he was old enough to express his wants. Fashion, makeup, hairstyles - he is the expert. His parents grumble, but realize that he can be who he is and be happy, or they can try to change him and he will turn out to be neurotic.

The issue is with the father of a friend of his who will not accept who Joey is. The man yells at Joey for playing with girl things and tells his son to tell on Joey when he does girl things.

This man is the principal of a middle school. As a retired educator, I want to speak with him about his behavior and the effect it can have on a young child. What could I say? -LIGHT OF MY LIFE

DEAR LIGHT: Joey's parents should talk to that man and demand that he stop bullying their son. He's not only discriminating, but also encouraging the scapegoating of at-risk children. Joey's parents should also curtail their son's friendship with the man's son.

DEAR ABBY: I have a co-worker, "Suzette," who, since last month, has begun to smell like kitty litter every day. Suzette is in her mid-50s. While I consider her a friend, she can be temperamental and tends to fly off the handle and run to HR.

I would like to tell her about the odor in case it is something medical that's undiagnosed. - DELICATE NOSE

DEAR DELICATE: The way to handle this would be to inform HR and let someone there discuss it with her.