Preschooler still being breastfed
Our daughter turns 5 soon, and my wife still breastfeeds her to bed every night and wakes her a few times a night for more breastfeeding. 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. Our daughter’s mouth is filled with cavities, and my wife’s breasts are no-touch zones sexually. My wife refuses even to consider stopping. Is it time for me to leave?
– Perplexed Dad in Wisconsin
No, it’s time for your daughter’s pediatrician and her dentist 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 inde- pendence. Your wife may think she has been doing the right thing, but if her own emotional needs are so great that she can’t alter her parenting style, you may want to consult a licensed family therapist for guidance.
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
Abby shares more than 100 of her favorite recipes in two booklets: “Abby’s Favorite Recipes” and “More Favorite Recipes by Dear Abby.” Send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $14 (U.S. funds) to: Dear Abby, Cookbooklet Set, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Shipping and handling are included in the price.) 1 Generously 6 Police officer 9 Hunter’s garb 13 Eva — Saint 14 Southeast Asian 15 Fish finder
16 “I don’t
mind — —” 17 Decree 19 Provokes 21 Makes a run 22 Sailor’s word 23 Feels grateful 25 Um cousins 26 Astonish 27 Levels off 32 Long adventure
stories 35 Rugged cliffs 36 Bikini top 37 Skip
38 Possibly
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cousin
52 Kids’ wheels 55 Slanted type 57 Introduced 59 Duke it out 60 Tea sweetener 61 Previously 62 Clear sky 63 Fateful date 64 Alfred E. Neuman’s publication 65 Nostalgic fashion
DOWN
1 Fridge maker 2 Salt’s pal
3 Talk idly
4 Cheery tune 5 Bright colors 6 Stuffy
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10 “Green Gables”
redhead
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advanced (2 wds.) 20 Bleater
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(hyph.) 5-10-18
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Mel — 48 Gave assistance to 49 Prowess 50 Autumnal hue 51 Houston
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heavily
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