DEAR ABBY: I’ve a 16-month-old who has not too long ago discovered to stroll.
My mother had been watching him at some point every week whereas I labored part-time, however she in the end determined it was an excessive amount of stress on her again and stated she may not carry him. Recently, she has been telling me I must “train” him to do sure issues to ensure that her to look at him with out lifting him (e.g., climb into his personal automobile seat).
Abby, he’s too younger to constantly do something like that.
It’s not doable for her to place him in his automobile seat, carry him to place him in his crib, excessive chair, and so on. She’s being very pushy about me discovering alternative routes to do issues that in the end will make extra work for me. I believe it will be safer and simpler to pay an able-bodied caregiver.
Speaking to her about this has turn into demanding as a result of she calls me “crazy” for considering it is a security concern.
If we’re on the park and he does one thing unsafe, I choose him up and take away him as a result of he isn’t but a dependable listener.
How do I focus on this along with her in a sort however agency method, and is my concern legitimate?
— LIFTING HIM UP IN CALIFORNIA
DEAR LIFTING: You aren’t loopy! In fact your considerations are legitimate.
Your son is years away from with the ability to do what your mom is suggesting. Finish these discussions.
She must be instructed kindly, however firmly, that she loves her grandson, however he wants extra hands-on care than she is ready to give him, which is why you are hiring somebody to do it.
DEAR ABBY: I’m certainly one of your male readers. My greatest pal, “Will,” and his household have been shut pals of mine for 9 years. I regard them as prolonged household, and we do virtually all the pieces collectively.
Two years in the past, they purchased a home and transformed the storage right into a room for Will’s brother-in-law. A 12 months in the past, the brother-in-law met a girl I’ll name “Anika,” who stays with them a number of days every week.
She has made her place within the household, doing all the pieces with Will’s spouse and their child. Will and his spouse have now began together with her on journeys and issues they might have usually invited me to do with them — however with out me.
I not too long ago found that Anika was disgusted to listen to that I used to be happening a latest journey with them, however she gave in to Will to let me go.
I really feel like I’m being pushed out of the household I do know and love by this new girlfriend. How do I deal with this?
— PUSHED ASIDE IN THE EAST
DEAR PUSHED: Inform Will that over the 9 years you could have been shut pals with him and his household, you could have grown to treat them as your prolonged household. Then inform him it has come to your consideration that Anika didn’t need you included on that final outing and ask if he is aware of why. Had you offended her not directly?
She could also be jealous of the connection you could have had for thus lengthy with Will and his brother-in-law and be unwilling to share her boyfriend — or his household.
Expensive Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also called Jeanne Phillips, and was based by her mom, Pauline Phillips. Contact Expensive Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Field 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
