Dear LFTP: the graduation, the ex, and the mother-in-law with dementia
- Should I call ahead to warn the hotel and restaurants about my ex-mother-in-law's dementia before the graduation visit?
A listener asks whether she should call ahead to warn hotels and restaurants about her ex-husband's mother, who has dementia and makes scenes (sending food back, accusing staff). The hosts say no: don't meddle, focus on the daughter's graduation. Practical advice: slip the waiter $5 and 'live in their reality'; note the son should stop dragging his mother into agitating situations for her own sake. Secular's answer: call ahead and ask for a private area.
More on Family
-
Dear LFTP: the mother-in-law moved in
- My mother-in-law moved in seven months ago and it’s been difficult — how can we sort this out?
The last letter comes from a wife whose mother-in-law moved in seven months ago with no boundaries, rising bills, unpaid prescriptions, and open disrespect.
From No. 604 · Rearview Mirror
-
Dear LFTP: the single man and the holiday cliques
- Would it be wrong for the lonely single man to start declining holiday invitations?
The first Dear LFTP letter: a single man, happy with his life and plenty of friends and family, dreads the holidays — at Thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings of 15 to 25 people,…
From No. 603 · Found Out
-
Dear LFTP: the grandma, 'Libby,' and the weight comment
- Was I wrong to mention my concern about Libby's weight?
Mike reads the letter: she moved 2,000 miles to be near her daughter's family; granddaughter 'Libby' was diagnosed with a medical condition and put on weight.
From No. 602 · Relationship Counseling
-
Dear LFTP: the Mimi letter ('Call Me Hoopi')
- Is it wrong for a grandmother to be upset when her grandson's other grandmother claims the same nickname?
Mike reads the Dear LFTP letter: a grandmother whose two-year-old grandson calls her Mimi — but the other grandmother claimed Mimi for herself, and the daughter-in-law is annoyed and doesn't want 'mom mom' either.