DEAR ABBY: My daughter and son-in-law predict their second youngster. Everyone could be very glad for them. The drawback is the distinction between her in-laws’ beliefs and mine. I used to be introduced up in a household during which events and celebrations have been held at house. We opened our home to mates and kin, everybody introduced meals and we celebrated the event.
The in-laws are considerably extra well-to-do than we’re. They rejoice each event at a restaurant, membership or venue, with many individuals attending. My daughter has been part of this household for years and enjoys the large celebrations.
The drawback is, I’m being requested to contribute half the price of her upcoming child bathe. For the venue, bartender, charges, linens, desk decorations, and many others., my share involves greater than $900. Abby, I’m not ready to do that, nor do I wish to. My daughter is offended with me as a result of I refused, though I did promise to purchase something she doesn’t obtain on the bathe.
Am I incorrect for refusing to participate on this? Or should I suck it up and give you the $900 to maintain the peace? — SAD MOM IN NEW ENGLAND
DEAR SAD MOM: Your daughter could also be pregnant, however there are different “info of life” she appears to have ignored. One of them is that the form of celebrations to which she has grow to be accustomed value greater than you may comfortably afford to spend.
I assume there will probably be future celebrations during which you may be anticipated to take part. If that’s true, then it’s time to elucidate the apparent to your daughter, her husband and her in-laws: Their fashion of entertaining is just out of your finances.
DEAR ABBY: I’ve an expensive pal of greater than 30 years who has a foul behavior of being extraordinarily nosy. She says it reveals she cares in regards to the individual. She asks about members of my household she has by no means met and why they made sure selections. How can I politely get her to cease? — NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS
DEAR N.O.Y.B: Asking questions could also be this girl’s manner of making an attempt to delay a dialog. Tell her you don’t know the solutions to her intrusive questions, and if she actually must know the knowledge, she ought to ask the individual herself. (Caution: Do not expose their telephone numbers.)
DEAR ABBY: I’m a shareholder in a small agency. The different shareholders don’t like me. It’s not on account of efficiency or persona points. It’s as a result of they’re a cliquey bunch and I don’t stay of their metropolis. I will probably be retiring quickly. The custom is to have a retirement dinner full with speeches. Any speeches from them can be phony. As for me, a speech in regards to the positives of being with the agency can be very, very quick. I would favor to not have a retirement dinner. What ought to I do? — SHAREHOLDER IN THE SOUTH
DEAR SHAREHOLDER: Tell the opposite shareholders (properly) that you already know when a shareholder leaves the agency there’s historically a farewell dinner, however you’d favor to not have one and easily plan to go away on the finish of your ultimate day of employment. Period.
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also called Jeanne Phillips, and was based by her mom, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at http://www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
