Due diligence, but daughter was in danger

DEAR AMY: Our 11-year-old daughter recently attended her first sleepover, a birthday celebration for her friend "Sandy." Before the event, my husband and I met and talked with Sandy's parents, learned about the other residents of the home and conducted a "sex offender" search online to determine no predators lived in the area. The kids had a great time. Then our daughter reported that she and Sandy got to sit in the "trunk" of the parents' car when all six girls went out to an entertainment venue! The mom drove the girls in the family SUV, and, because only four kids can fit in the seats, Sandy and our daughter sat in the "way back" area without seat belts, facing the roadway. We explained how dangerous this was, and said if it happens again she should call us and we'll drive her. I am seething. I keep picturing my daughter in the back of an SUV, potentially getting rear-ended and crushed to death. I'm not sure how to speak to these parents without creating a scene. What do you think?

--Stunned

DEAR STUNNED: I agree with you that these parents made a dangerous (and illegal) choice and placed two children at risk. Speak to them about it and say you were shocked to learn that your daughter and their daughter were unbelted, and that you wish they had called you to help with driving.

DEAR AMY: I'm a 24-year-old in a grad program. The problem is, I am like a boy-crazy teenage girl. I have a massive crush on a guy in my program, and I absolutely can't stop thinking about him. I need to get him (and guys in general) off my mind so I can be successful, right?

--Crushed Out

DEAR CRUSHED: It is completely normal to feel exactly the way you feel when you have a "crush." It doesn't matter how old you are or what your GPA is. I suggest you scratch this itch and invite your colleague out for coffee.