Which mom was right on birth control?

DEAR ABBY: My 19-year-old son has been dating the daughter of one of my friends I'll call "Mona." We didn't set them up; they met at some party. Last summer we discovered they were having sex because "Meghan" thought she was pregnant. Luckily, it turned out she wasn't. They broke up but have gotten back together recently.

When I asked Mona if she was putting Meghan on birth control, Mona said that she wouldn't because "that would be letting her know it's OK to have sex." I said, "Better safe than sorry!" and we left it at that.

I let my son use my car last weekend and found an opened box of emergency contraception on the floor. Because my son never answers his phone, I called Meghan and stressed to her that unprotected sex is irresponsible and that they aren't ready for a baby. I warned her to take precautions and get on birth control, and I helped her to make the arrangements.

Was it wrong to discuss this behind her mother's back? Should I tell Mona after promising Meghan I wouldn't say anything? What should I do?

- Mom Versus Friend

DEAR MOM: Wrong? You deserve a medal. And you should now have the conversation with your son that you should have had before the first pregnancy scare, stressing to him the importance of using condoms not only to protect himself and Meghan from an unplanned pregnancy, but also an STD if she isn't the only girl he's having sex with. Girls don't get pregnant all by themselves.

As to telling your friend Mona, who seems to have the parental insight of an ostrich where her daughter is concerned, keep your promise to Meghan and your lips sealed.

Meghan needs a woman she can confide in, and your friend seems to prefer living in fantasyland rather than giving her daughter the support and guidance she needs.