Dear LFTP — the kid forced to work the family store
- My parents make me work in their store for free — what should I do?
A young listener writes that six months ago his parents opened a store and now make him work weekends and after school until 6pm, unpaid and strict; he wants out but fears punishment. The hosts answer with the 'suck it up, buttercup' line — historically kids worked the family business — then advise testing limits: roll the dice, tell them, and see what the punishment actually is ('everybody can make a deal with making dad mad'). The secular answer urges less resentment and pride in contributing. This prompts a running gag about one host's daughter Grace, who complained 'if I don't agree with you when you're saying something to me, then I have to agree with you no matter what you say,' and a digression against the phrase 'step up to the plate' as praise for merely doing one's job.
More on Parenting
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Dear LFTP: Champ the untrained dog and holding boundaries with your son
- How do I handle my son bringing his untrained dog Champ on our weekend grandson visits?
Mike reads the second letter: the writer hosts weekend grandson visits where her son Dennis brings Champ, an untrained destructive puppy that runs wild, barks, and digs.
From No. 586 · Nothing Personal
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Dear LFTP: wife mocks husband's bladder problem in public
- How should I respond when my wife mocks me and my bladder problem in public?
Mike reads a letter from a man married three years whose wife calls him vulgar names in public and makes his bladder-control problem into comedy.
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Dear LFTP: the birthday invitations
- Should parents be allowed to send birthday invitations to school when only select students are invited?
Mike reads the second letter: the parent of a special-needs pre-K child saw a Facebook group post exposing that her daughter was excluded from a birthday party.
From No. 574 · Starring Ted Danson as Joab
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Dear LFTP: Cindy's baby name ideas
- What should I do about my friend's terrible baby name choices?
Mike reads a letter from Dave about his longtime friend Cindy, six months pregnant, who keeps proposing names like chlamydia, bidet, chalet, and cliche because they sound pretty regardless of meaning.