Dear Ann Landers: From time to time, you offer information about hot lines and support groups. I'd like to tell you about a program that also could be of wonderful use to your faithful followers.The Boys Town National Hotline, 1-800-448-3000, is a toll-free crisis line for both troubled parents and children across the country. It is operated by Boys Town, the home for abused, neglected and abandoned boys and girls, founded by Father Edward J. Flanagan in 1917.
Our hot line's professional counselors are trained to deal with problems involving physical and sexual abuse, suicide, running away, alcohol and drug abuse, parenting issues, eating disorders, etc. They do short-term telephone counseling and refer callers to services in their own hometowns using a computer database of 50,000 local agencies and programs nationwide. In addition, Boys Town has sites in nine states and can refer callers to our shelters and programs in these areas.
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The hot line is open 24 hours a day, every day. We have a TDD line (1-800-448-1833) so we can commu-\ nicate with the hearing-impaired. We also have bilingual counselors to assist Spanish-speaking callers.
Please share our hot line number with your millions of readers. It's a number they can call any time free of charge for help with any problem.
May God bless you in your continued good work. - Father Val J. Peter, JCD, STD, executive director, Boys Town
Dear Father Peter: I've checked out Boys Town and it has a glowing five-star rating. I'm delighted to tell the world about this great place that helps boys, girls and their parents.
Dear Ann Landers: My son, 42, is in a second marriage (11 years) and has two wonderful children.
Today he told me that he is expecting a baby soon by a woman who is not his wife. I am very hurt by this and feel like wringing his neck. His wife is unaware of the situation. I don't know the other woman, but she knew my son was married when she took up with him. They work together.
The problem: My daughter-in-law is going to find out about this sooner or later, but I could never bring myself to tell her. When she does find out, she'll know I knew about it and she'll be very angry with me for not telling her.
When this child is born, what do I do? It will be my grandchild, but if I acknowledge it, it might upset my daughter-in-law. What is the right thing to do? - G in Detroit
Dear Detroit: You are under no obligation to keep your daughter-in-law informed about her husband's escapades. You are right to keep your mouth shut. When the child is born, take your cue from the baby's mother. If she wants you involved, fine, if not, stay away. It's her call.
