Dear Annie: I’m a 51-year-old male and answered a personal ad posted by “Ginny”, an older woman. I am attracted to older women for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is that they don’t want more kids or have young children at home.Ginny looked to be in her late 60s, and she told me she was 67. She invited me to her home, and we had our own little happy hour. The sex was great. We have seen each other several times, but after the most recent visit, I caught a glimpse of her driver’s licence, which said she was born in 1927. Ginny will be 80 in June. Why do you think she lied to me? I never would have thought she was that old and, frankly, the novelty of it appeals to me. I’m just not sure about the social ramifications. My mother is five years younger than Ginny. I have a 24-year-old daughter, and I don’t know how she will react. I told Ginny we should get married on her 80th birthday, but she thinks I should find someone closer to my own age. Should I continue seeing her and just not let the relationship get too emotional? Or should I marry her? She’s a terrific woman and in wonderful shape. — Marc from MemphisDear Marc: Why must it be one or the other? Marriage does not have to be the end result of every good relationship. Ginny probably lied because she assumed your attraction to older women might not encompass quite that great an age difference, but now she knows better. We say enjoy what you have, including the emotional involvement, and don’t push for more than she’s willing to give.

Dear Annie$>I am the mother of six children, ages five months to 14 years. The problem is, I am constantly terrified that something is going to happen to one of them. If I go out, I call the baby-sitter every half-hour. Sometimes I go over to their school and peek in the classrooms. Often, I’ll pick them up from school because the bus ride makes me nervous. When they play outside, I check on them every five minutes. I won’t let them go anywhere without me, even with their father, because I am afraid he will not watch them closely enough. I am driving everyone crazy, including myself. What should I do? — Worried All the T<$>

Dear Worri <$>You’ve been doing this for 14 years? You must be exhausted. With the news today, we certainly understand your anxiety, but it isn’t helpful. Calling the baby-sitter or periodically checking when the kids are outside is within normal concerns, but peeking in their classrooms? Not so much.You must accept the reality that there are things — even horrible, tragic things — that you cannot control or prevent. Life contains risk.

You can take appropriate precautions and teach your children to be careful, but you should not be so overbearing that it is impossible for them to feel safe and develop independence. You need a time-out.Dear An: <$>This is in response to the woman who didn’t want her husband to go to the three-day bachelor party. As a man, I have never really understood the allure of strip clubs. What is the fun in having an attractive, semi-naked woman dancing in front of you whom you can’t touch? That sounds more like an expensive form of torture. Second, three days does sound extreme, but still, I think the wife needs to trust her husband and stop being so controlling. I bet you have no problem with married women attending a Chippendales show. Correct me if I’m wrong. — Just Be Reasble<$>Dear Reasonable: You’re wrong. We think married people, of either sex, should be respectful and considerate of their spouses, and we’ve said so many times.