Dear Amy: I have 10 children, ranging in age from 2 to 21.
I am 51 years old.
Am I still supposed to play with them? They think so, but I say, “Enough!” — Tired
Dear Tired: Play is an important part of a human’s mental, physical, emotional and creative development.
How you define “play” may be elastic, but, yes, if at all possible you should interact with your children (at least sometimes) in play.
I highly recommend the new documentary “Babies,” which offers an open window to the worlds of four children born into four very different cultures.
The babies in “Babies” don’t have much materially in common because they are growing up in vastly differing circumstances, but one thing all human beings seem to need is time to play, and if the youngest humans among us can share some of that play time with their mother or father, all the better.
Dear Amy: I’m 28 and know my mother well enough to block her from viewing many of my photos on Facebook.
My cousin, however, is her Facebook “friend” and posted some racy photos of us from her bachelorette party.
I have heard from my whole family about how upset my mother is. She has called me numerous times and left messages calling me unethical and stupid, and saying that she doesn’t want to provide any money for our coming wedding.
She also says she’d like to get out of my life once the wedding is over.
I’m a schoolteacher. I’m a hard worker and a pleasant person. Am I being unfair by not responding to her? — Not Facebook Friends
Dear Not: When photos of you are posted online for others to see, these people have the right to weigh in or comment on your choices.
All the same, your mother is bullying you. As a grown woman, you shouldn’t give her the power to control you through financing (or contributing to) your wedding.
It might be best to absolve her of this financial obligation, thus removing this particular wedge from your relationship. If you can’t stand up for yourself in a definitive way, then I agree that you shouldn’t respond at all.
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