ArcaMax

DEAR MISS MANNERS: We face an awkward situation with my mom. She is chronically unwise with her money, taking frequent international vacations that leave her without enough money for necessary items.

We are not willing to give her the monthly allowance she wants because it would be a hardship to us, and also because if she followed a budget, ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: When did it become de rigueur to wish every woman you see, for an entire week, a happy Mother's Day?

When I was growing up, Mother's Day and Father's Day were days that you did something nice for or with the respective parent. Unless a person was a close friend, you didn't ask "What are you doing for Mother's Day?" out of ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My husband is the president of a local college alumni chapter, and I am the secretary. The chapter recently held an alumni meeting at the residence of the headmaster of a local private high school. Though the setting was a private home, the event was a formal gathering attended by the university president and various ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am planning a birthday party for my 3-year-old daughter. Last year, for her second birthday, we did a small event at home, and she was pleased about it. I only invited friends from her daycare to make it special for her.

For her first birthday, I invited her friends and their parents to our home. I also invited her daycare ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I know that I should never invite guests to a party and require them to contribute food or money. But how does that work with political fundraising parties?

If my husband runs for office, how can we spread the word without making people (and in particular, our friends) feel that they have to pay?

GENTLE READER: By not ...Read more