Short Answers

By Jeff Johnson and Paula Forman

THE BIGGEST AMATEUR GAME IN TOWN

Dear Short Answers:
I am expecting a baby in September and have become very concerned about my husband’s ability to take care of a newborn.  He’s clumsy and absent-minded and he couldn’t even take care of our dog.  He would forget to walk her and forget to feed her and was constantly stepping on her.  It was horrible.  I tried to get him to take baby care classes for first-time dads but he went to one and refused to go again.  I think he was probably embarrassed about how bad he was at it.  I am worried sick that he will drop our child or forget something vital.  What do I do?
So worried

Dear S W:
Relax. See what happens.  Dog care is not a try-out.  Everyone (really) drops the baby.  If he is not a drunk or a drug addict … give it time.  We are betting he will rise to the occasion.

NO DO-OVERS

Dear Short Answers:
I recently had to fire someone and now I’m having nightmares about it. I feel terrible. Maybe this is a sign that it wasn’t the right thing to do. Do you think I should reach out and hire the person back?
Sleepless

Dear Sleepless:
Being an adult means accepting the consequences of your actions. Sometimes it doesn’t feel wonderful, but it goes with the territory. Compassion for the person is okay but move forward, not back.

BE A SPORT

Dear Short Answers:
I was recently invited to a wedding and the guests were asked to dress in “Edwardian theme.” I am perplexed as to why the bride would want the guests to be dressed in fancy clothes. But I’m also annoyed that I have to buy a new outfit for one wedding that I will never wear again. I’m tempted not to go. My husband says I should wear whatever I like but I don’t think he understands. The bride is “in charge” and I don’t want to insult her. Should I go? Should I buy a new dress? Or should I politely decline and make up an excuse?
Not in the Mood

Dear Not:
Lighten up. You don’t have to dress like a queen — the bride is the queen. Find something “regal” — mutton chop sleeves and a long skirt — and have fun!

AS OLD AS YOU FEEL

Dear Short Answers:
A good friend of mine divorced her husband a couple of years ago and has just starting dating again. I am happy that she is enjoying herself but she is acting like a teenager in heat — even though she is well into her 60s!!!! She makes out in public. She has risque photos of herself and her dates in various stage of undress — that she shows to EVERYONE!!  And she talks non-stop about how wonderful her sex life is. Will this run its course or do I need to tell her to stop this foolishness?
A friend

Dear Friend:
Let her have her fun. You can tell her you don’t want to hear about it, but we think you sound a titch envious!

CUSTOM FIT

Dear Short Answers:
What is love? How do I know it when I feel it?
Jen

Dear Jen:
Love means the point on your head fits the hole in his. You know it because it feels right.

Life is complicated. Short Answers isn’t.

Send a question about whatever is bothering you to [email protected] or go to www.shortanswers.net and a psychologist and sociologist will answer. A selection of the best questions will be printed every week in KonkLife.

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