DEAR ABBY: I’m writing about the letter from “Angry Mama,” whose 9-year-old daughter, “Kristy,” kept being addressed as “Weirdo” by her friend’s father. You advised “limiting exposure” to this man, but I would like to raise a deeper issue:

What is Kristy learning from her mom’s response to the insult? To bear it silently and passively? (Many women fear a confrontation.) Please tell Kristy that it is OK – even essential – for a person of any age to be able to say, “You may not speak to me that way. It’s rude and I don’t like it.”

Her mother’s apparent silence to this dad sends a message even more debilitating than his “weirdo” insults that the child will internalize as she grows.

I don’t mean to be critical. I dread confrontation, too. But I did learn early on, from a wonderful therapist, that my son will learn how to respond to the world and to stand up for himself when necessary by watching ME. – AWARE MAMA, SANTA MONICA, CALIF.

DEAR AWARE MAMA: The time and money you spent on the couch were not wasted. That’s an important lesson, and all parents should heed it. Read on:

DEAR ABBY: “Kristy’s” mother is correct in not allowing her daughter to be subjected to that kind of treatment. It is not only inappropriate, but it could possibly be the father’s way of “grooming” the girl for possible sexual abuse.

Provoking Kristy with offensive name-calling could be his way of manipulating her so she will do “anything” to win his approval. Not only should that girl stay away from him, but someone should be concerned about what’s going on with HIS daughter.

If there is a mother in that home, she needs to be cautioned. If there is no mother, someone needs to reach out to the man’s daughter and make sure she has someone in whom to confide.

As the mother of three daughters who were abused by a family member using the same tactic, I urge “Angry Mama” to act on the red flags she has recognized. – PROTECTIVE MOTHER AND GRANDMOTHER

DEAR PROTECTIVE: I advised the mother that it was her job to protect her daughter from abuse. I said that the friend’s father appears to be insensitive, immature and a bit weird himself – and that it’s three strikes in my book.

It did not occur to me that he might also be a pedophile. Thank you for sharing your personal experience with me and my readers, and for the warning.

DEAR ABBY: I am finishing my first year in college. This last semester I’ve run up a lot of debt, not only on my credit card, but to my mom as well. I need to find a summer job.

My fear is that when I’m interviewing and reveal that I am available only in the summer because I’ll be returning to school in the fall, I’ll be told, “Thanks, but no thanks.”

How should I approach employment applications and interviews? Should I lie? I don’t like the idea, but the truth might not get me the money I need. Please help, Abby. – ANXIOUS TO CLIMB OUT OF DEBT IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

DEAR ANXIOUS: Rather than mislead anyone, apply to temporary personnel agencies. Since they provide short-term help to businesses, your time line should not be a problem.

P.S. A temp job can also morph into a permanent position after graduation.

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.

For everything you need to know about wedding planning, order “How to Have a Lovely Wedding.” Send a business-size, self-addressed envelope, plus check or money order for $5 (U.S. funds only) to: Dear Abby, Wedding Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447.

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