| Carolyn Hax is away. The following first appeared March 6, 2011. Hello, Ms. Hax: My 20-something daughter is overweight. Doesn’t eat right or exercise. Will NOT discuss. But, if we go shopping together, her physical self-loathing is so evident, a person could drown in it. What, if anything, can a parent do or say? There have never been boyfriends of any ilk, ever. Believe me when I say intelligence, personality, charm — all there. It’s only weight between her and dating. I would keep my lips zipped, if it weren’t for these “windows into the soul” that shopping with her gives me, and for my parental gut instinct that she would love to receive that offer of a first date. I’ve tried a few approaches to the subject and failed miserably. I’d happily give my life to see her happy, and I curse my own gender for the stereotypical shallowness of that age. — Someone’s dad Read your responses to this week’s reader question We asked readers to channel their inner Carolyn Hax and answer this question. Column Carolyn Hax and Haben Kelati | | | | 
