Shower guests should be thanked individually

Dear Abby: I recently attended a baby shower for a dear high school friend and his wife. The day after the shower, she posted a slideshow on Facebook titled “Thanks for All Our Gifts” with a picture of each gift and who gave it. She has had numerous miscarriages and held this shower at five months.

While I feel sympathy for her fertility issues, I think this is a bid for attention. I am disgusted at how she seems to be bragging about her haul, yet prepping everyone to give her an outpouring of support if there is another tragic loss.

Who does this? I am ... Speechless in N.C.

Dear Speechless: Most baby showers are given four to six weeks before the mother’s due date. However, it’s possible that your friend’s wife had hers at five months because, with her history of miscarriages, she’s excited that her pregnancy seems to be progressing well and she’s thinking positively. I hope it works out well.

As to her method of thanking everyone for the gifts, she may never have been taught that individual thank-you notes should have been sent. Because it is clear that you are closer to the husband than the wife, perhaps you should tip him off that it’s still not too late for them to do the right thing and suggest he help her with them.

Dear Abby: I have been divorced from my wife for almost a year, with another year of separation preceding that. We divorced because of arguments, not because of abuse, adultery or substance abuse issues. The divorce actually seemed to take on a life of its own.

Because I have a small son with her, I desperately want to attempt a reconciliation. She is reticent about it. How can I persuade her to go out with me so we can rekindle the spark we once shared? — Missing My Old Life

Dear Missing: Before a couple can successfully reconcile, they must first resolve the problems that caused the separation in the first place. That would be the way to begin. If the reason you want to “rekindle the spark” is that you miss being with your child and the comforts of being married — but not her — then I don’t think you have much chance of success.

Dear Abby: My child’s best friend has a parent who is constantly late (to the tune of hours, not minutes). I understand that the child is not at fault, but my child’s feelings are hurt by the blatant disregard of the other parent’s tardiness. How do I help this parent (whom I adore otherwise) to understand that disappointing my child through poor time management is not acceptable to our family without hurting both children? — Watching the Clock

Dear Clock Watcher: If you haven’t told the parent that it is hurtful when your child is kept waiting for hours for a play date, you should. And if that doesn’t bring the desired result, your child should be encouraged to move on.