Ask Amy: Husband’s new friend becomes a menace
My wife hates this idea, but I’m not sure how to respond to my mother.
We agreed to ask you for ideas of what to say.
– Worried Future Dad
Dear Worried: Reword this sentiment: “Hell to the no,” and take it from there.
The hospital will not allow a dog in the delivery room.
And you should not allow your mother in the delivery room, either.
Your child’s birth should be shared by you and your wife as a private and intimate event.
You are going to need a lot of practice in establishing healthy boundaries with your mother, and this is the place to start.
Dear Amy: Your reply to “Grasping,” the parent concerned about how they will be able to get along with their daughter's future in-laws – who don’t speak English – left out the obvious answer: Hand-held translation (old-fashioned and modern)!
When our son married a lovely Brazilian woman 22 years ago, we and her parents carried around small English-Portuguese dictionaries whenever we were together. Now, translation is in our phones, which are omnipresent.
– Hold On, Let Me Look That Up
Dear Hold On: Absolutely. “Obrigada!”
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(You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or Facebook.)
©2024 Amy Dickinson. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
