Am I crazy to feel this is just not right? I think even here he were much closer in age, those same doubts would be there. Yes, we raised our daughter to be smart, successful, caring and open-minded. And she is. How do I get past this? The doubts, though, you take seriously, because this might not be love. You also have the added distress of hearing your daughter recite the Oath of the Gullible, also known as a list of excuses for someone — and of knowing she has a ready-made reason to tune you out.

Your bobbled first tries likely motivated her to dig in to defend her judgment. Happiness is about the right person, not the right age.

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I just ask that you be watchful — of anyone who has a pattern, not just this guy. Email Carolyn at tellme washpost. Find her columns daily at www. Share story. By Carolyn Hax. Love Halloween mazes?

Mom distressed by daughter dating much-older man

See if you can find your way out of ours Rant and Rave: Neighbor helped boy get new scooter. Carolyn Hax : tellme washpost. Carolyn Hax is a syndicated advice columnist for The Washington Post. Starting Nov.