Dear LFTP: the in-laws who never accept invitations
- Am I wrong to stop inviting my in-laws after 26 years of refused invitations?
A listener married twenty-six years writes that her in-laws have never accepted a birthday or special-occasion invitation unless the event is held at their home, including her daughter's college graduation, and asks whether she is wrong to stop inviting them. The hosts say invite them anyway: it costs a text message, it keeps her beyond reproach, and her husband wants them invited; one suggests mischievously announcing the next party at the in-laws' house and letting them be the ones to object. The 'secular answer' agrees, advising her to ask about the rationale years ago and not to use this as punishment, since they are her husband's family. The hosts speculate lightheartedly about a decades-old wedding slight and conclude: send the invitation.
More on Family
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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
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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
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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
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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.