April 19, 2025 Issue, Page 5 of 16

Page Text

ACTIVITIES The Elk City News SATURDAY, APRIL 19, 2025 • 5 Grandmother Thinks Toddler Should Be More Responsible DEAR ABBY: I have a from being able to do what your law met a woman I’ll call “Ani- close friends with him and his 16-month-old who has recent- DEAR ABBY mother is suggesting. End those ka,” who stays with them several family, you have grown to regard ly learned to walk. My mom was discussions. She needs to be told days each week. She has made her them as your extended family. watching him one day a week make more work for me. I think kindly, but firmly, that you know place in the family, doing every- Then tell him it has come to your while I worked part-time, but it would be safer and easier to pay she loves her grandson, but he thing with Will’s wife and their attention that Anika did not want she ultimately decided it was too an able-bodied caregiver. needs more hands-on care than kid. Will and his wife have now you included on that last outing much stress on her back and said Talking to her about this has she is able to give him, which is started including her on trips and and ask if he knows why. Had you she could no longer lift him. Late- become stressful because she calls why you ARE hiring someone to things they would have normally offended her in some way? She ly, she has been telling me I need me “crazy” for thinking this is a do it. invited me to do with them — but may be jealous of the relationship to “train” him to do certain things safety concern. If we are at the without me. I recently discovered you have had for so long with Will in order for her to watch him park and he does something un- DEAR ABBY: I am one of your that Anika was disgusted to hear and his brother-in-law and be un- without lifting him (e.g., climb safe, I pick him up and remove male readers. My best friend, that I was going on a recent trip willing to share her boyfriend — into his own car seat). Abby, he’s him because he is not yet a reli- “Will,” and his family have been with them, but she gave in to Will or his family. too young to consistently do any- able listener. How do I discuss close friends of mine for nine to let me go. thing like that. this with her in a kind but firm years. I regard them as extended I feel like I’m being pushed out Dear Abby is written by Abigail It’s no longer possible for her way, and is my concern valid? — family, and we do almost every- of the family I know and love by Van Buren, also known as Jeanne to put him in his car seat, lift LIFTING HIM UP IN CALIFOR- thing together. this new girlfriend. How do I Phillips, and was founded by her him to put him in his crib, high NIA Two years ago, they bought a handle this? — PUSHED ASIDE mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact chair, etc. She’s being very pushy DEAR LIFTING: You are not house and converted the garage IN THE EAST Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com about me finding alternative ways crazy! Of course your concerns into a room for Will’s brother-in- DEAR PUSHED: Tell Will that or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, to do things that ultimately will are valid. Your son is years away law. A year ago, the brother-in- over the nine years you have been CA 90069. CROSSWORD Get Fuzzy CURRENT PUZZLE ANSWERS Drabble Dailies Pearls Before Swine Garfield