Kids are never out of mom’s sight with their grandparents
DEAR ABBY: My husband and I have three wonderful grandchildren who live with our daughter and son-in-law in another state. Our daughter will not allow us to take the children out to lunch, shopping, for ice cream or anywhere without the parents coming with us.
The kids are 7 and 3-year-old twins. When we are in the house playing on the floor with them, our daughter is right there with us. When we go outside to play, she is also there watching.
When I have asked her why she won’t let us take the children out, she makes up different excuses, including saying she’s overprotective. This makes me and my husband very sad. We are not treated like normal grandparents. What do you suggest we do?
— Disgruntled Grandparent DEAR DISGRUNTLED: Not knowing your daughter, I can’t guess why she appears to be so possessive of the grandchildren. However, while I agree that what’s going on isn’t “normal,” you might be less unhappy if you focus on being grateful that you are able to interact with your grandchildren. It is beneficial for them to spend time with you and know that you love them. Not all grandparents and grandchildren are as fortunate.
P.S. As the kids get older, Mom’s need to supervise your visits may subside.
DEAR ABBY: My mother, who lives paycheck to paycheck, has recently become good friends with “Rhonda,” who is wealthy due to inherited money. They frequently go out to eat or on other excursions together, and Mom expects her friend to foot the bill. Rhonda, however, usually pays only for herself and expects Mom to pay her own way. It has made Mom angry enough to complain to me.
I told my mom that it’s presumptuous of her to expect Rhonda to always pay. While it would be generous of her to pay for Mom too, I think the woman is allowed to do what she wants with her money. Mom says no, I’m wrong, and “those who have more should always be willing to pay for those who have less.” What do you think?
— Complaining in the South DEAR COMPLAINING: I think that your mother’s friendship with Rhonda may be nearing its end. I also think that because there is such a discrepancy in the amount of discretionary income your mother and her friend have, your mother should inform Rhonda that as much as she might like to frequently accompany her, financial reality prevents it. Alternatively, they could do something together that doesn’t cost as much or is free.
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her
Sam Ewing, a former professional baseball player, said, “Hard work spotlights the character of people: Some turn up their sleeves, some turn up their noses and some don’t turn up at all.”
At the bridge table, those who turn up their sleeves spotlight the useful spot-cards that they have and use them to advantage. How does that apply in this deal? South is in four hearts. West leads the club ace, then shifts to his singleton trump.
Opening in no-trump with a six-card major is wrong, in my opinion. However, it did silence EastWest. Note that five clubs doubled is down only one, an unusually profitable adverse-vulnerability sacrifice.
The original declarer crossed to dummy with a trump at trick three and led the spade two: jack, queen, king. Then West, guided by his partner’s excellent play, returned a spade. A moment later, West got in with the diamond ace and led another spade to give the defenders four tricks: one club, one diamond and two spades.
South should have started on diamonds, where he has good spot-cards. After the club ace, a heart to the ace and a heart to the four, declarer plays a diamond to his king. If West wins, he is endplayed; so he ducks smoothly. South continues with the diamond jack. West takes that trick and has to return his last low diamond.
Declarer should win with dummy’s queen, then, when East discards, lead the fourth diamond and pitch his spade three. Now West is endplayed, forced either to lead away from the spade king or to concede a ruff-and-sluff. Actress Rita Moreno, 87.
Singer Brenda Lee, 74.
Actress Teri Garr, 71. Actress-comedian Mo’Nique, 51. Rapper-actor Mos Def (Yasiin Bey), 45. Actress-singer Hailee Steinfeld, 22.
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