Young dad wants more attention from his mom
If you want your folks to spend more quality time with your kids, then invite them to spend time with your family -- not only to babysit for the children, but to do things with all of you. "Quality time" is family time -- playing games together, going to puppet shows, plays, movies and concerts, and occasionally siting on the couch with a cocktail or a cup of coffee, enjoying the children while someone else takes primary care of them.
Dear Amy: Our father died last year. The youngest of four siblings became the estate's executor.
On the day of the interment, "Bart," our older brother, asked how soon he would receive his share of the estate.
I was shocked. I explained the process, which takes time.
Bart made the same inquiry over the course of several months. We suggested he hire a lawyer to explain the process if he did not believe what we were doing/saying, which unfortunately delayed things further.
Although we all received a partial distribution, Bart told our younger sibling that we would no longer have access to our teenage niece and nephew until Bart had received all of his money.
We are almost at the end of the process. Unfortunately, during that time, Bart became terminally ill. Given the timing, his spouse may be the person receiving his inheritance.
The executor and estate lawyer have done everything possible to accommodate his expectations. Meanwhile we have had no contact with our niece or nephew. We have sent cards and gifts, and heard nothing back.
Our hope is that someday, maybe even at "Bart's" funeral, we will reunite with our niece and nephew. If this happens, how should we respond if they ask why we've been distant?
-- Perplexed Siblings
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