Cat ladies prefer cats to family members
How do we fix this for our mom's sake, without giving up our principles?
We need help soon because my sister-in-law is pregnant with her second child and we haven't even met the first one!
-- Animal-loving Aunt
Dear Aunt: As a fellow cat-lover, I've often wondered why "cat ladies" sometimes get such a bad rap as being eccentric, sheltered and basically bananas.
Thank you for clearing that up.
You don't mention your brother's role in this. If he isn't allergic to cats, he could handle a visit with the baby.
This is not a matter of "principles." Given your collective attitude toward your sister-in-law, and your refusal to even attempt to make the house less toxic for her during a visit, she has no choice but to stay away. And no responsible mother would surrender her baby for an unsupervised visit with family members who are so obviously ill-equipped to care for a human.
If you want your mother to meet this grandchild, it would be kindest for you to drive your mother to your sister-in-law's house for a visit.
Dear Amy: My husband's entire family discusses the costs of their possessions. Not only do they openly blurt out how much they pay for everything, but they also must know how much everyone else pays for things.
I grew up with the strict rule that it was rude to discuss someone's personal finances.
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