Dear Carla,I’ve been in a relationship for a close to six months with a mature wonderful man. He’s recently asked me to move in with him but I have some reservations. The first reservation is he is the custodial parent of a five-year-old and I’m almost 50. At this point in my life little ones are great to visit with but a handful to raise. My second reservation is the child’s mother is in jail. She has a couple of years left on her sentence and has been there since the child was a baby. — More Than I WantDear More,When you met the man he had this child, correct? So why is it an issue now? Because things are getting hotter between you? I think you are being unfair. Not because you do not wish to raise his child but because you should have told him this from the very beginning BEFORE he started getting emotionally connected to you. And how are you dating him without connecting to the child. In my opinion, that’s a sign he definitely missed. I think you owe him an apology for not being honest with him. Why are you apprehensive because the mother is coming out of jail in a few years? That’s a long time away. If dad has been taking child to see mom, then it’s safe to assume they have an established relationship (mother and child). You will not be replacing Mom so I see no issue. I think you are looking for an excuse. I hope Dad finds a woman who will accept him and his child because you do not seem to be the one for him.Dear Carla,My daughter has revealed to me that she is gay. She is 16. She has a girlfriend, but last year she dated a boy for a few months. I am not sure how I feel about this. I think I am in denial. I feel like it’s just a phase or maybe that’s just what I wish. I know forbidding her to see the girl will push her to her. I think I like the time when people stayed in the closet. She posts her information on social media. I never thought it would be my child. — Not My DaughterDear Not,I think you are in denial. Your daughter is telling you her sexual preference so you really should listen. Whether you want to accept or not is not her issue because it sounds as if she knows who she likes. Regarding the boy last year … maybe she dated him to make you happy. Maybe she is bisexual or bi-curious. Either way, educate her about safe sex and most of all, continue to love her for who she is. Too many young people hide things from their parents so for her to be open and honest with you is a plus. When you are ready, take the time to get to know her girlfriend. Try to be open minded and non-judgmental and give the young lady the chance to show you who she is as a person, not a lesbian.Dear Carla,I meet nice young ladies and date then things start to happen, then they pull away, due to my situation. I am an amputee, so why get involved with me in the first place? Just be honest up front … say it bothers you. My question is do women only be nice to me because they feel sorry for me? If that is the case it is cool, but what happen to being good and decent ... does that not count anymore. — Just AskingDear Just Asking,That’s a tough question because people do different things for different reasons. I think sometimes people are afraid to speak the truth out of fear of who they may hurt but you are right … they should say it up front instead of acting like you are some sort of charity case. While I hope the behaviour discontinues, you should point it out the next time it happens to you. The women may not realise what they are doing. I wish you well. Your special lady will find you.Dear Carla,My son is 14 and he always has this one particular friend over our house. He is a nice kid but he eats a lot (more than my son) and while I don’t mind feeding him I cannot afford to keep doing so. Times are hard and I’m living on a tight budget. I don’t want to chase the child away because it’s clear his mother does not take a lot of interest in him and I don’t want to make him leave during mealtimes but this child is breaking my pockets. I refuse to say anything to my son because I don’t want the child to go back and say something to his mother. I would rather have him hanging around my house than on the streets or home unsupervised but I simply cannot afford to keep feeding him. What do I do? — Hungry PocketsDear Hungry Pockets,Everyone seems to be feeling the pinch but I would implore you to look at the bigger picture. This child is clearly gravitating to your home because he feels comfortable there. Cherish that; if he’s out in the streets most likely at one point on the other your son could be too. And in this day and I time I would prefer to have my son and his friend closer to me … especially at that age where it is quite easily for them to get caught up in a lot of negative activities. I would also advise you talk to your son. He’s old enough to understand; he can speak to his friend in a way that won’t come across offensively. It’ll all work out.