'EMOTIONAL RAINCOAT' REPELS BARBS.Byline: Ann Landers Esther "Eppie" Pauline Friedman Lederer, better known as Ann Landers (July 4, 1918 – June 22, 2002), was best known for writing the famous syndicated advice column "Ann Landers." For some 45 years, it was a regular feature in many newspapers across North America. Dear Ann Landers: This letter is prompted by a column in which a reader wrote, "Love your mother because she may not be around long." My mother cut out that column and mailed it to me. My wife and I both have been in counseling for years because of my mother, who is mentally ill. For a long time, Dad has ignored her strange behavior because it has provided him with a good excuse to see another woman on the side. When we told Mom of our plans to marry, she insisted that we have the wedding out of town. She said she would not attend because she didn't have anything to wear and wasn't going to spend the money to buy a new dress. We are well aware that she has several nice dresses in her closet. We have never given Mom a gift she liked. Lord knows we have tried, but it is always the wrong size or wrong color, doesn't fit, or is too much like something she already has. Giving her money is out of the question. We have tried. Her response was "Apparently, you don't think enough of me to shop." We'd appreciate any suggestions you may have on how to deal with this woman. We are exhausted from trying to please her. Maybe we're too close to the situation to see things clearly. - Texas Dilemma Dear Texas Dilemma: You have already stated that the woman is mentally ill and there is no pleasing her, so I suggest that you stop trying. Be cordial cordial: see liqueur. and pleasant, but don't knock yourselves out. Just slip on your "emotional raincoats," and let the barbs barbs the primary, delicate filaments that are given off the shaft of a bird's contour feather. They project from the rachis and bear the barbules. slide off. When your mother sees that she can no longer get to you, she may be less inclined to try. Dear Ann Landers: My husband and I frequently allow our children to invite friends along when we go to a fun place. Johnny, age 10, has an 8-year-old girl friend, "Laurie," who lives down the street. He often invites her to join us. The problem is that Laurie is never dressed properly and is often just plain dirty. Yesterday, we went to a children's performance of the symphony symphony [Gr.,=sounding together], a sonata for orchestra. The Italian operatic overture, called sinfonia, was standardized by Alessandro Scarlatti at the end of the 17th cent. , and Laurie had on stretch pants that were badly soiled and much too small. She wore Birkenstock sandals without socks, and her hair was actually smelly smell·y adj. smell·i·er, smell·i·est Informal Having a noticeable, usually unpleasant or offensive odor. smelly Adjective [smellier, smelliest . I had phoned her mother to make sure she knew where we were going, and she said, "Oh, yes, have a good time." I know Laurie's mom has chosen to stay at home with a new baby and they are stretched for money, but I have a problem with the child's hygiene hygiene, science of preserving and promoting the health of both the individual and the community. It has many aspects: personal hygiene (proper living habits, cleanliness of body and clothing, healthful diet, a balanced regimen of rest and exercise); domestic hygiene . I want to do the right thing, Ann ANN, Scotch law. Half a year's stipend over and above what is owing for the incumbency due to a minister's relict, or child, or next of kin, after his decease. Wishaw. Also, an abbreviation of annus, year; also of annates. In the old law French writers, ann or rather an, signifies a year. , but I can't decide if I should broach broach (broch) a fine barbed instrument for dressing a tooth canal or extracting the pulp. broach n. A dental instrument for removing the pulp of a tooth or exploring its canal. the subject with Laurie's mother or just stop taking the child with us. I need an unbiased opinion. What do you think? - Small Town in California California (kăl'ĭfôr`nyə), most populous state in the United States, located in the Far West; bordered by Oregon (N), Nevada and, across the Colorado River, Arizona (E), Mexico (S), and the Pacific Ocean (W). Dear California: Laurie needs help. If the child smells a bit ripe to you, others can smell it, too. Phone Laurie's mother, and tell her you would be happy to put the child in a shower at your house before going to a special event and to please send her with some fresh clothes. At an appropriate moment, tell Laurie how important it is to bathe or shower every day and wear clean clothes. You could make a big difference in this child's life. I hope you will find the courage to do it. Gem of the day: Be grateful for the weather, no matter how bad it is. Half the population could not start a conversation without it. |
|
||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion