Short Answers

By Jeff Johnson and Paula Forman

MOVE IT OUT!

Dear Short Answers:
My husband and I and our baby live with my parents so we can save money to buy a house. We both work and my mom takes care of our son. This has been great for almost two years but now my parents say they think we should pay them for childcare and half the groceries! We think this is very unfair of them but we don’t know how to explain to them. HELP!
Need $$$

Dear Need:
We think you have outstayed your welcome. Thank your parents and learn to live like grownups!

ARE PREGNANT WOMEN A PUBLIC ISSUE?

Dear Short Answers:
There is a woman at work who is pregnant but still drinks at company parties (and probably a lot of other places where I don’t see her). How do I get her to stop? And doesn’t the company have a responsibility here? Isn’t serving alcohol to a pregnant woman like serving alcohol to a minor?
Worried

Dear Worried:
No, it is not the same as serving alcohol to a minor and please tell us why this is your problem. If you continue to feel that your intervention is required, we would suggest you raise the issue with one of her friends or close associates who might address it in a less official capacity.

OLD STORY

Dear Short Answers:
My parents are in their 90s and getting to the point where they truly need to be watched very carefully. Nothing bad has happened but it might at any time. Every year, they spend two weeks at a beach house that has been in the family for generations. This year, I told them that I am going to come with them. They were quite annoyed and have refused to let me stay at the house. So if I want to go, I have to pay for a hotel. Since they are being so difficult, should I leave them alone and let the chips fall where they may? If they have an accident, I will feel terrible. What do you suggest?
Trying to Be Helpful

Dear Helpful:
This is a very tough one. Try one more time. Tell them you really would like to spend time with them … and be at the beach. Perhaps bring a friend as a buffer and you can assess their capabilities. Promise FUN not surveillance.

ALOHA

Dear Short Answers:
I was recently invited to a wedding that is taking place in Hawaii. At first, I was going to decline because I don’t really know the couple very well but then I noticed a note on the bottom of the invitation that said “travel expenses would be paid for by the families of the bride & groom.” I was flabbergasted!! Would it be wrong for me to attend the wedding just to get a free vacation? I truly am not that close to the family – but I’d love to go to Hawaii!!!
Moocher

Dear Moocher:
Go to Hawaii and be the perfect guest.

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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