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Note: A word of thanks to the countless readers who took time to send warm words of condolence upon learning of the death of Prudie's mother. All the kind words were most appreciated.

Dear Prudie,

I am having a serious problem with my family. My best friend of half my life (I am only in my early 20s) is now dating my dad. My mother just passed away a year ago, and my best friend used to date my younger brother. I have so much hatred for the both of them. I pick and choose my friends, and she will never be my friend again, but my dad, on the other hand, will always be my father. Right now I hate him. He is letting her move in, and they have only been dating two and a half weeks. I'm not sure if he is grieving or just thinking with the wrong head. Please help me.

—Dizzy

Dear Diz,

The help you want, Prudie can't deliver; that is, to miraculously have your father behave with decorum and dignity. Any fairly recently widowed man who, not three weeks after starting a romance, begins living with a girlfriend the age of his daughter (who formerly went with his son!) is beyond help. Just try to hold your head high because your dad's rotten judgment is no reflection on you. All you can do is hope that, at some point, he wakes up, wises up, or grows up. Unfortunately, your father, right now, sounds so nuts and thoughtless there's a possibility your former buddy could become your stepmother. Steel yourself, my dear, and perhaps prepare for an estrangement. Some behavior need not be supported.

—Prudie, sympathetically

Dear Prudence,

I am a single 35-year-old female with no children. I am a college graduate with a fairly nice job. My problem is, I attract men who are too needy. A few days ago, I wrote down the names of three men I dated and described their qualities. It amazed me to discover that they were all men going through difficult situations at the time I met them. I dated these men while they were down, yet when they got back on their feet, they broke it off. And they have all told me that the women they found to marry are all just like me—except they all have children with somebody else! The last guy I dated actually wanted me to introduce him to some women because of his chronic shyness and inability to communicate. (Actually, this is why I dated him. I felt sorry for the guy.) Can you please advise me on how I can become more bum-repellant? I need help!

—Idiot Magnet

Dear Id,

What you need to do is make your list BEFORE the romance gets started ... not after it falls apart. Some women are almost magnetized to find guys with baggage, and you are apparently one of them. Something in your personality makes you responsive to problem-laden, injured souls. You may need to put in some time with a therapist to find out where this comes from ... but in the meantime, make it a rule not to date men who are in crisis, in debt, or in a funk. Prudie predicts that when you select a man who is more put together than the ones you've been picking, things will not blow apart, and you will be able to kick the habit of being a rehabilitation institute. Then, as if by magic, the neon lights on your forehead that say "Walk on me" will go off.

—Prudie, correctively