Ask Amy: One mom’s helpful friend wants out
Dear Tired: It does take a village. But sometimes, the villagers take up their torches and storm the castle.
You’ve been your friend’s clerical assistant for over a decade. If you want to stop now, you’ll have to calmly and resolutely retrain her.
Unless she has a learning or literacy challenge, I’d say that she has demonstrated a genius-level aptitude for manipulating you into doing her work for her. Hounding works!
Here’s how to get out of doing her bidding. You say, “Whew, I’m tired. I’m going to let you get your children across the finish line. You can do it! I’ve been your faithful villager, but now I’m going to accept my merit badge and retire.”
Dear Amy: Am I obligated to attend a wedding shower and to give a gift?
My niece-in-law (my husband’s niece) has postponed her wedding for many months due to Covid.
They are now going to marry on a tropical island.
My husband has been invited, but my daughter (age 15) and I have not been invited.
My husband will be spending over $3,000 just to get there and stay in a hotel for three days.
He still wants to give a generous gift.
...continued
