ArcaMax

-- Confused Neighbor

Dear Confused: I agree that this is very strange. Your neighbor may have a mental health issue or substance abuse problem. Or she might simply be an extremely disrespectful boundary-crosser.

You should contact her immediately (send a letter), and say, "We are reminding you respectfully that you may not enter our yard, under any circumstances." Any response from her should be answered with a version of, "Thanks, but -- literally -- stay off of our lawn."

Don't ask for an explanation, but be very calm and clear regarding her need to stay off of your property.

If this (or something similar) happens again, you should call the police.

Dear Amy: Normally I respect your reasonable opinions, but I have a problem with your answer to "Expecting and Uneasy," whose mother-in-law announced that she would be baby-sitting for their baby. The couple wanted to place their baby into day care instead of having the child's grandmother take care of it during the workday.

You are sorely mistaken if you think that day care is better than a grandparent's care.

-- Disappointed

Dear Disappointed: Actually, in my answer, I didn't express any opinion -- positive or negative -- about day care (I happen to believe that quality day care is good for children and their working parents).

In this case, yes, day care is definitely preferable to placing a baby with a grandmother who has a track record of infuriating family members by not respecting commonsense parenting practices, as well as the parents' stated wishes.

========

(You can contact Amy Dickinson via email: askamy@amydickinson.com. Readers may send postal mail to Amy Dickinson, c/o Tribune Content Agency, 16650 Westgrove Drive, Suite 175, Addison, Texas, 75001. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or "like" her on Facebook.)