Dear Abby: Smothering mom looks for way to break free from her habit

DEAR MELANCHOLY: You are a successful wife and mother, having raised independent children. Now it's YOUR turn. Think back to before you were married and had children: What were your interests? Was there a class or subject you wanted to take? Did you want to act, paint, read Shakespeare, join a hiking club, travel or learn to dance? Learn French, plant a garden, raise rabbits, write a novel, study architecture, learn the stock market, or (you fill in the blank)? If you still can't ditch the urge to "mother," consider becoming a foster parent, or volunteer at a school, children's hospital or as a literacy tutor at your local library. The possibilities are endless and the need is great.