DEAR ABBY: Visits with parents bring tears to daughter’s eyes.
Dear Abby:
My parents live a simple life, enjoying their days as retirees. They invite me to join them for special occasions at their house and although the house is organized and tidy, I become ill when I spend more than a few hours under their roof.
Their cleaning practices are questionable. They simply rinse plates and utensils after use, as opposed to using the dishwasher. Within an hour of arriving, the dust makes my allergies and asthma flare up. They prefer to launder clothes, sheets, blankets, etc. only occasionally out of concern about “wasting water” and money. Their dog and cat have urinated throughout the house, and my parents claim to not be able to smell it.
I can’t stand to get sick every time I walk through their door. Help! Sneezing in the Suburbs
Dear Sneezing:
You’re right, you can’t. That’s why it’s time to speak up and tell your parents your allergies flare up when you visit their house. If you’re expected to spend the night there, tell them that from now on you’ll sleep at a hotel/motel nearby. And before using them, either wash their eating utensils or take your parents out for meals, which will make it easier on all of you.
Dear Abby:
My ex-wife took my 8-year-old son to a gay pride parade last week. She snapped a picture of him holding a rainbow flag and posted it to social media.
I don’t feel comfortable with my son attending gay pride parades. I think he’s too young to be exposed to this kind of thing. I’m not concerned about him being gay, that’s not the issue. Some attendees of these parades can be sexually provocative.
I want my son to be a kid and have a happy childhood. What’s a good way to talk to his mother about this? Happy Childhood in the East
Dear Happy:
Children exposed to adult activities should be prepared beforehand. Of course, much depends on the child’s maturity level.
The police usually keep a close watch on these gatherings to ensure public safety. Children younger than 8 have attended these parades with their parents or other loved ones with no unpleasant aftereffects. If anything obscene had happened at the event your ex-wife took the boy to, you would have heard about it. Feeling as you do, you should absolutely raise this subject with your ex — if only so she can reassure you. DearAbby.com Dear Abby P.O. Box 69440 Los Angeles, CA 90069 Andrews McMeel Syndication