Abused husband wonders why he stays in marriage
What is your advice?
-- Concerned Bystander
Dear Concerned: In the moment, you could have called 911, or alerted the security guard at the store (if there was one). What you did -- to confront this mom about what you had witnessed -- was also the right thing to do.
At this point, you could call the non-emergency phone number for your local police department and ask for their advice. Not only did you witness a physical assault, but according to the mother's account, her daughter is a suicide risk. (Imagine the parent who thinks the correct response to this information is to strike their daughter!). This is alarming.
Dear Amy: I didn't like your response to "Wannabe Empty Nesters." You basically encouraged these parents to toss out their 35-year-old daughter, who had bounced back home during unemployment. This has happened in many families, and I can't imagine the parents who would kick out their own child.
-- Disappointed in YOU
Dear Disappointed: These parents weren't trying to rid themselves of a child who had bounced back home for a brief period. At age 35, this daughter had never left. And I didn't suggest that they kick her out, but offer her a pathway toward independent living.
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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.)
