Privileged parent doesn't like braggy child
You should be honest with your friend. Tell her, "Sammy is having a hard time sharing his cool stuff. He likes to say how much things cost. I'm having a hard time with it."
Dear Amy: I am a single retired granddad who loves his children and grandchildren with all my heart.
Being with them is one of the few pleasures I have in life. The problem is that if I visit one of my married children's home without giving them notice, they become upset and tell me I'm being disrespectful.
Even if I don't enter their homes and I stay outside to play with my grandchildren, I'm not welcomed.
My grandparents visited our home when I was young whenever they wanted, and we were always happy to see them!
Am I out of touch on what's acceptable?
-- Saddened Grandparent
Dear Saddened: It is possible that back in the day when your grandparents popped in, the kids loved it (of course you did!) but your parents didn't.
Many families now consist of two working parents whose time (and energy) is stretched very thin. The imposition might spring from something as simple as the adults wanting to get the living room straightened up before you come in the door.
I also do not like pop-ins, but (for me, anyway), all I ever want is a 10-minute advance notice -- so I can hide the shoes under the couch.
It might be a gift to all of your family members if you could set up a (loose) schedule to see your grandchildren -- so that, for instance, every Tuesday and Saturday everyone knows that Granddad is going to swing by. That would give everyone something great to look forward to.
Dear Amy: I was so shocked by the scenario described by "Very Frustrated," whose wife, a teacher, was carrying on a relationship with a teen boy.
Thank you for trying to get him to wake up! Yes, this woman should not be anywhere near children.
-- Horrified
Dear Horrified: This drama was taking place in "Frustrated's" own household. He needs to wake up.
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(You can contact Amy Dickinson via email: askamy@amydickinson.com. Readers may send postal mail to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or "like" her on Facebook.)
