Never Mix, Never Worry

Dear Short Answers: What is the etiquette for inviting a divorced couple (along with their new significant others) to a dinner party?  I like them both and would love to meet their new partners but I’m not sure how to handle this.  I don’t want to ruin a good party if they start arguing or [...]

Game Changers

Dear Short Answers: My niece just had a baby.  No one called me — I found out on Facebook.  I am sick of being an internet gift service. Do I have to send yet another unappreciated offering? Distant Auntie Dear Auntie: No. It is better to risk their anger than assure yours. Like Unlike

This Is Called Enabling

Dear Short Answers: I have a child who is a college senior and can’t get his financial act together. He works part time and spends every cent. Up until a couple years ago, I took care of transferring his money into savings and that worked until I told him he needed to take care of [...]

The Courage of One

Dear Short Answers: My friend is very charming and very beautiful but she is a bully. She bullies her friends and her family and her boyfriend and her employer. Everyone puts up with it because no one incident is THAT bad and she can be very volatile. What should we do? Speaking for Friends and [...]

Covert Ops

Dear Short Answers: Is it acceptable to watch pornography on an airplane? Warming Up Dear WU: Sure, if you have a privacy screen or are in Business Class. 1 person likes this post. Unlike

Reach Out and Call Someone

Dear Short Answers: My kids didn’t even call on Christmas day. What did I do wrong? Mom Dear Mom: You did nothing wrong … they did.  On the other hand, if you really wanted to speak to them, is your dialing finger broken? 1 person likes this post. Unlike

No Contest

Dear Short Answers: My son wants to quit school. He says he will get a GED. Is a GED as good as a high school diploma? Worried Mom Dear Mom: NO. A GED is not as good as a high school diploma. Studies show that graduates are better able to hold jobs and advance, develop [...]

No Good Deed Goes Unpunished

Dear Short Answers: I have grown children who I love and respect — I even like their spouses. But here’s the problem: I hardly ever see them! I know I am lucky — most of my friends’ kids are very dependent, either financially or emotionally but at least they see them! What should I do? [...]

Out of the Closet

Dear Short Answers: An engaged friend took both moms to shop for the bridal gown. The groom’s mom took pictures of the chosen dress and is passing them around to family and friends. The bride is devastated that her gown is no longer a secret. What should she do? Friend of the Bride Dear FOB: [...]

Old News

Dear Short Answers: My husband of many, many years really hates my parents … for good reason.  But they are old now and I feel like he should have drawn his toe in the dirt years ago.  But since he didn’t, now, just let it go!  Am I wrong? Monkey in the Middle Dear Monkey: [...]

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