DEAR ABBY: You have always encouraged readers to stay informed, be prepared, and adjust positively to whatever problems they are dealt from the deck of life.

With this in mind, we are offering your readers a Citizen’s Survival Kit. It’s a package of consumer information booklets, focused on protecting our families and ourselves. Whether someone is trying to assemble a disaster preparedness kit, do financial planning, make a will, or resolve a consumer complaint about a product, it can be accomplished quickly and simply by following the advice in this selection of booklets. The Citizen’s Survival Kit will be provided FREE to Dear Abby readers.

Thank you, Abby, for continuing to promote the health and safety of all Americans. – TERESA NAVARRO NASIF, DIRECTOR, FEDERAL CITIZEN INFORMATION CENTER

DEAR TERESA: When I saw the Citizen’s Survival Kit you assembled, I was impressed. They say there’s no free lunch, but your booklets provide a banquet of information. The Disaster Preparedness booklet is a gem, and the Consumer Action Handbook belongs in every household.

Readers, supplies are limited, so don’t waste any time. The kit can be ordered at no cost to you. There are three ways to order one: (1) Call toll-free, 1-888-878- 3256, weekdays 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time; (2) send your name and address to: Citizen’s Survival Kit, Pueblo, CO 81009; or (3) order it online by going to www.pueblo.gsa.gov.

P.S. While you’re visiting that site, you can also read, print out or save hundreds of other free publications. (What fun! I feel like Lady Bountiful!)

DEAR ABBY: “No Name, City or State” inquired about how best to respond to an adult gay man who had boasted about a fling he’s having with a 16-year-old boy. You recommended that “No Name” tell the boy’s mother what the braggart said and leave it up to her to report it to the police.

Abby, I am a clinical psychologist with experience working with sex abuse survivors. Please consider the fact that when alleged sexual abuse is disclosed, many parents are often confused, emotionally overwrought, etc., and consequently their judgment is impaired. Denial, minimization and accusations against the victim are not unusual. Better that the alleged abuse be reported to the appropriate state and/or county child protection agency; their investigators can best intervene in this and similar matters. – “DOC” ON LONG ISLAND

DEAR “DOC”: Thank you for pointing out something I should have pointed out myself. The fact that the alleged abuser bragged that he was “getting away with something” signals that he could possibly be a pedophile with a history of abuse.

As a school guidance counselor wrote, “It’s always best to err on the side of caution” when it comes to reporting suspected child abuse.

DEAR ABBY: My mom and dad think I have ADD and so does my fourth-grade teacher. Both my sisters, my baby sitter and cousin all believe that I don’t have ADD. Who should I believe, Abby? – MIXED-UP 9-YEAR-OLD GIRL

DEAR MIXED-UP: Your parents should have you tested, and then you’ll ALL know for sure if you have attention deficit disorder (ADD). It’s always best to get the facts. As your letter proves, guessing only causes needless anxiety.

DEAR READERS: I have great news. More than 2 million of you have used OperationDearAbby.net to send messages from home to our brave troops overseas. Thank you for making this program the marvelous success it continues to be!

Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Write Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.

Good advice for everyone — teens to seniors — is in “The Anger in All of Us and How to Deal With It.” To order, send a business-size, self-addressed envelope, plus check or money order for $5 (U.S. funds only) to: Dear Abby, Anger Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447.