KATHY MITCHELL AND MARCY SUGAR \ Annie's Mailbox Gut instincts say new beau is a creep

Dear Annie: My 21-year-old daughter, "Misty," is socially immature. She always has been attracted to the "bad" boys who lack ambition, motivation, jobs, cars and families. We wonder why she is drawn to this type, since Misty was brought up with scads of love and attention. She has no reason to feel that she doesn't deserve a boy with a positive future.
Misty's latest romance is with a young man of 25 who has no family in the area and works as a waiter at a coffee shop. He has no car and seems to be staying with a friend. In other words, he is one couch short of homeless.
Misty has begun describing this fellow as her fiance, although we've heard nothing about an engagement. The worst part is that her sister and I have a gut feeling about the guy that scares us. We've never felt this way about any of Misty's other boyfriends, but this one seems dishonest, although we have no evidence to back up our fears. We have talked about our feelings with Misty, but she insists the creep treats her like a queen. He now is pushing for her to let him move into her place.
I have asked Misty to think carefully before she gets engaged or married, and to give this relationship a little more time before she lets him move in. Do you have any other suggestions? We are worried sick. Misty-Eyed Mom
Dear Mom: We trust your gut instincts that the current beau is a creep, but that isn't going to be enough for Misty to drop him. Perhaps she was raised to be a confident young woman, but she nonetheless lacks a healthy sense of self-worth.
Misty needs to know her mother not only loves her, but has faith in her. Your worries may be justified, but your criticism of Misty's romantic choices is undermining her decisions, and she is tuning you out. Is there someone Misty respects enough to listen to about this? Her father perhaps? A girlfriend, employer or the family clergyperson? In the meantime, get to know the creep. It might help.
Dear Annie: You recently printed a letter from a 13-year-old girl whose teeth were discolored. You suggested she talk to her parents and her dentist about whitening them.
I have been told by more than one dentist that a child should not attempt to bleach his or her teeth until age 18. Is it true? My 10-year-old wants to bleach his teeth. Tooth Fairy in the Dark
Dear Tooth Fairy: Teeth whitening is not recommended for children under the age of 12. Teenagers under 18 should be evaluated individually by their dentist to see if they are eligible for whitening procedures.
Creators Syndicate