Dear Abby: She should adopt a new outlook on boyfriend

DEAR ABBY: I am 20 and have been with my boyfriend, "Griffin," for five years. He recently gave me a beautiful promise ring. I would like to spend the rest of my life with him, but I think I have a problem.

I am going to become an adoption professional, and I plan on adopting one day. Griffin knows I'm pursuing this career and that I want to adopt, but I don't think he understands how serious I am about it. We don't plan on being married until after college, when we'll both be 25.

I don't want to wait five more years and find he's not on the same page and that I wasted my time. When I try to discuss it, Griffin says we're "too young to think about it."

- Mapping Out My Future in L.A.

DEAR MAPPING: It appears you are more mature than your boyfriend. Because you are determined to eventually adopt a child, I agree that it's important for you to know whether Griffin has any negative feelings about adoption, because some people are unable to accept a child who is not their own. The next time he says you're too young to think about such things, explain that.

DEAR ABBY: My daughter, "Annie," is a single mother, holds a full-time job and trains for triathlons. Her son, "Cooper," is 3. Annie has him enrolled in day care from 7 a.m. until 4 p.m. Afterward, she picks up Cooper from day care and checks him into the gym's child care service while she works out.

I have offered to pick my grandson up from day care once a week and keep him until Annie finishes her workout.

Annie has become defensive. She says we're offering because we think she's neglecting him. Actually, I DO think so. It breaks my heart that my grandson spends 12 hours a day in day care.

- Worried Granny in the Southwest

DEAR WORRIED GRANNY: Explain that you would like Cooper to spend time with you because you love him and want him to develop warm childhood memories of his grandmother. Then cross your fingers and hope she'll accept the offers.