DEAR HARRIETTE: I am the editor of my high school newspaper. I am the last step in approving articles, layouts and comics before the issue goes out. The most recent issue of the paper went out, and I approved a cartoon about cheerleaders that I thought was funny. It had them doodled with someone in the stands going, “Who is that? What are they even doing?” I thought this was comical because the cheerleaders at my high school aren’t popular, and this brought it up in a funny way. No one is particularly sure why they’re doing all of their lifts and flips, and I thought it was a funny comic everyone would relate to. The cheerleading team was offended, and I have received backlash about how it wasn’t OK to let that comic into the paper. I still think it’s funny, but I need to repair the paper’s reputation. How can I apologize? I can’t go to everyone individually to say sorry! – Bad Editing, Westchester, New York

DEAR BAD EDITING: While the comic was likely funny, it sounds like it was funny at the cheerleader’s expense. Whenever you, as an editor, allow jabs like that, you can expect some kind of backlash. The first thing you need to think about is your audience. An editor’s job is to provide content that is appropriate for and appealing to his or her audience. You must consider what the boundaries should be as it relates to criticizing members of your audience. Clearly, in this case, many feel you went too far.

What you can do is print a note from the editor in the next paper apologizing for being insensitive. You may want to say that you thought the comic was in good fun but see that sometimes critical humor can have too big of a bite.

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DEAR HARRIETTE: My son is a daredevil, and his behavior seems to have gotten more dangerous with age. When he was young, there would be many Band- Aids and even a few hospital visits throughout the years. In his teens, he took up mountain biking and other extreme outdoor sports. He is in his 20s now, and he wants to begin skydiving. This worries me the most out of all of his hobbies because I find it the most dangerous. Whenever I bring this up to my son, he calls me a nag or a worrywart. I know I can’t restrict him from doing anything, but if he were severely injured (or worse, killed!), I would never be able to forgive myself for not trying to step in. What can I say to him to make sure he stays safe? I dont know if he’ll listen, but I want him to go back to safer activities. – Daredevil’s Mom, Denver

DEAR DAREDEVIL’S MOM: Im sorry to say that there’s virtually nothing you can do. Your son’s history shows you who he is and how he wants to spend his time. As his mother, of course you are concerned for his safety and wish he made other choices. Rather than being a doom-and-gloom soothsayer, suggest that your son get as much training as possible in all of his pursuits so that he can perform them as safely as possible.

— Lifestylist and author Harriette Cole is president and creative director of Harriette Cole Media. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.