Family stays close via virtual dinners

Dear Abby: May I share with you a way my husband and I are staying connected? My daughter came up with the idea. She and her daughter live a good distance from us. She decided the four of us should have a virtual dinner together three times a week.

We move our dining chairs together and use FaceTime to connect online. We set dinner on the table, say grace together and proceed to eat — all the while talking, joking and laughing.

Abby, I can’t tell you how much this has alleviated the feelings of isolation. We phone, text and email at other times, as well, but these dinners together are a very special hour. — Staying Close in Connecticut

Dear Staying Close: For those who, because of travel restrictions or financial constraints, cannot be together in person, this is a tradition that could continue well after the quarantine has lifted.

Dear Abby: My wife and I have about a dozen nieces and nephews on each side of our family. As each of them has married, we have given them generous gifts.

My wife and I have two adult children. When our daughter was married 10 years ago, she had a big reception. Our son chose to elope last year. He had a small ceremony when they returned.

My wife is now very upset that no one has acknowledged the wedding with even a card — let alone a gift. Should we bring this up to our families? — Empty-Handed in Illinois

Dear Empty-Handed: I can see why your wife is upset. Because you have been so generous with your family members when they were married, it would have been thoughtful had they reciprocated with your son. However,

the rule of etiquette is that gifts are required when someone accepts a wedding invitation, and your son chose to elope.

Dear Abby: My motherin-law is wigging out because I allow our two cats and our dog to lick mixing bowls and dinner plates before I put them in the dishwasher. .

Our dishwasher is set to do a long wash with a heated drying cycle. Am I terrible? I fail to see the problem, but she thinks I’m liable to poison the kids. — Wondering in the South

Dear Wondering: You are not going to poison the kids, yourself or her son. That said, you may give your mother-in-law a coronary. So, in the interest of family harmony, when she’s around, cut it out.