DEAR ABBY: Preschooler being breastfed is a concern for her father.
Dear Abby:
Our daughter turns 5 soon, and my wife still breastfeeds her to bed every night. This has had negative consequences on our marriage.
All my daughter’s peers have been weaned and have been sleeping alone through the night for the last three years. My wife refuses even to consider stopping. Is it time for me to leave? Perplexed Wisconsin Dad Dear Dad:
No, it’s time for your daughter’s pediatrician to be informed about this because it may not be healthy for your child. Your wife appears to be fostering dependency instead of helping the girl to achieve independence. If your wife’s emotional needs are so great that she can’t alter her parenting, you may want to consult a licensed family therapist for guidance. Dear Abby:
Our 28-year-old daughter, the mother of two, is in the middle of a divorce from her husband. The divorce is not yet final, but she’s already involved with a new man. He is eight years older, jobless, has terminal cancer, lives with his father and is raising his 6-year-old daughter. This relationship seems wrong in so many ways.
My daughter is intelligent. She has a promising management position with a big company. But she’s not the kind to listen to any advice, and has never made good decisions when it comes to men. Any advice from you would be greatly appreciated. Unsure in Texas Dear Unsure:
There is no way to “save” a daughter who consistently makes poor choices about men and won’t listen to advice. Some people have to learn life lessons the hard way. The sooner you accept it, the better your own life will be. Dear Abby:
What do childless couples do with their formal wedding portraits? I hate to think mementos of such a treasured event in our lives will be tossed in the trash. Any ideas? Susie in South Carolina Dear Susie:
If any of your relatives views him- or herself as the family historian, offer the portraits to that person to be given upon your demise. Or, although the portraits are large, they could be digitized and added to the family tree. This way, your relatives could have the digital versions, and you and your husband could have the originals placed in your coffins with you when the time of departure arrives.