Similar to LW #1 although with a much younger child.

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She gave good advice, IMO.

I think Prudence's advice is better. What Margo said will be followed by more questions. What was his name? Can I meet him? If the mom won't say the truth, the girl will search for answers herself.

I have to agree with you ralpher. My story isn't quite as bad. I wasn't raped, but my first husband was every bit the dead-beat dad. We separated when my son was a baby and he never did a thing for the boy. I still thought he had a right to know there had been a biological father and what he looked like, etc.

Later, I learned my husband and I had not been legally married at all. He had come to the US from another country, secretly leaving a wife and daughter behind. I told my son of this information also when he was older. He has a half-sister out there somewhere and I felt he had the right to know.

Much as I liked Margo's column, I have to go with Emily on this one. It is best to tell the truth here. I think the mom should seek some professional help to tell the daughter.

All isn't lost. The daughter obviously is a very special child to the mom. A lot of women wouldn't go through with a rape pregnancy.