Dear Cr-Abby from Christie's Mom

HARD-WORKING FRESHMAN IS ADRIFT IN A SEA OF PARTYERS
DEAR CR- ABBY:

My daughter, "Christie," just started her freshman year in college. She's a little overwhelmed and trying to adjust. She is smart, focused and mature. Christie's biggest problem is it seems that all the other students in her dorm want to do is party. They buy alcohol with fake IDs and sneak it in.
Christie has told the others that she's not a partyer, and has been focusing on her work while her roommate and suitemates drink and miss classes. This makes my daughter not only unhappy, but also feel isolated. I talk to her every day to reassure her that she will find "her" group of friends. Is there anything else I could advise? -- CHRISTIE'S MOM

Dear C- Mom-Run,

Before we get started which university is this and what's the dorm room number? It sounds like a fun place for ole Paddy to hang out in.

Contrary to your assertion that your daughter's biggest problem is the other roommates and their drinking, you later share "she feels isolated".

College is not just a book report regimen, it is also an important time in social development. Hopefully you have not been such a prude as to send your daughter in to this Gauntlet of Guzzling without proper preparation. If you were really looking to protect your daughter from this influence there are universities that specialize in delaying these experiences BYU, TCU etc.

Of course, Cr-Abby doesn't recommend those approaches...trying to reign in hormones and experimenting is akin to sealing a live grenade inside a Mason jar and hoping for the best. The grenade still explodes but now you just have more shards of glass to blend with the shrapnel to deal with.

Every woman needs to learn the fine art of taking one beer and making it last the night without making it look like you only had one beer. This serves multiple purposes that are life essential lessons of great import...

1) She'll click with the clic

2) The boys will think they are getting some and then they pass out and she drives them home safely

3) Studying and Socializing find a harmonic balance

4) She can have a built-in excuse for any miscues,...like..."oh did I say you were bea'cth, I'm sorry I was just so trashed last night...not"!

So fear not Mom, encourage the little one to turn into the skid and find her niche at Delta House

Cr-Abby