Dear Annie:

I recently came across an e-mail from my 15-year-old daughter to her 22-year-old cousin that was rather revealing. (OK, I was snooping.) My daughter, "Carlie," was attending a sleepover at a senior girl's house, and it turns out there was alcohol there. She confided in her cousin that a boy (an 18-year-old) had kissed her, that she drank a lot but was fine, and that her friend drank too much and got very sick.

I've told no one, not even my wife, what I discovered. Should I say something to the mother of the girl who hosted this sleepover about the underage drinking? I could really use your advice. － Distressed Dad in N.Y.

Dear Dad:

Tell Carlie you saw the e-mail, apologize for snooping and lovingly let her know you are worried. Talk about the hazards of drinking, especially at her age, and the problems of becoming involved with upperclassmen who expect more than she might be ready to give. Then call the parents of the party-giver and tell them you are aware there was underage drinking at their home and they would be held liable if anything happened. Finally, why was your daughter at that sleepover? As flattering as it may have been for Carlie to be invited to a senior girl's party, it was inappropriate. Sometimes parents need to say no.

revealing (adj.) 可資參考的；啟發性的

to snoop (v.) 窺察；窺探

sleepover (n.) 過夜

to confide in 吐露；託付

underage (adj.) 未成年的；未達法律年齡的

distressed (adj.) 苦惱的；擔心的

upperclassman (n.) 高年級學生

to be held liable 負法律責任

flattering (adj.) 榮幸的；受寵若驚的

inappropriate (adj.) 不恰當的；不適當的