Bad parenting can lead to distrust of police

is a huge mistake for parents to instill fear of authority figures in their children because a day may come when the kid needs help from one of them.

And by the way, this doesn’t happen only with law enforcement officers. I have heard of children who are terrified of doctors because their mothers threatened them by saying if they misbehaved, “the doctor would give them a shot.” To say these are prime examples of poor parenting is putting it mildly.

Dear Abby: I have lived next door to my late husband “Jack’s” 86-year-old mother for the last 26 years. Jack died seven years ago.

Recently, she asked for my help changing an overhead light bulb. When she thanked me, I responded, “That’s what family is for!” She looked at me with a puzzled expression and finally said, “I guess we are family, in a way.” I replied: “Your son and I were married 25 years. You’re the grandmother of our children. I’m pretty sure that makes us family.” She then informed me she had stopped being my mother-in-law when Jack died.

I was not only floored by her remark, but also hurt. She used to always tell me I was the daughter she’d always wanted.

So who is right? Is she still my motherin-law? Or is she now my “ex”?

Dear Undwanted: From your description of what happened, I don’t think she meant to appear rejecting. I think she may have been genuinely puzzled because she thought her in-law relationship with you ended with her son’s death. I am sure she was sincere when she said she loves you. Revisit this and tell her how it made you feel. You both need to clear the air.