Life Advice

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Health

Mom doesn't want to clean up after two humans

By Amy Dickinson, Tribune Content Agency on

Dear Pissed: You seem to think that this is the right time for you to stand up and confront someone who is doing something you don't like.

Nope. This is the perfect moment to avoid conflict.

Bringing this up to your "wonderful" father-in-law could prove deeply embarrassing to him. Why -- oh why -- would you choose to do this?

You have already made the connection that caring for an infant and an older person have some commonalities. In both cases, cleaning up after someone who doesn't have total control over bodily functions can actually deepen your understanding of the human condition. Yes, it is NO FUN to clean up urine. But yes, it can be done with love -- or at least compassion.

Here are your choices: You could ask your husband to speak to his father about his toileting habits: ("Dad, we've noticed that you are missing the toilet. Is the lighting in our bathroom bad for you?").

You could also ask your husband to compassionately clean up after his father so that you don't have to do it.

 

Of course, your husband should be on diaper patrol with the baby, along with you, but perhaps during those times your in-laws are with you, you could strike up a deal: "I've got the baby; you take gramps."

Dear Amy: I am a 45-year-old divorced woman who is well established in her personal and professional life.

I met a wonderful gentleman (age 53), who is divorced and a father of a 15-year-old son with shared custody with the ex.

We live about an hour away from each other. We see each other once a week. Every other weekend we stay at each other's place. Everything has been great.

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