ANNIE’S MAILBOX: Urge son to protect himself, child

By Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar

Dear Annie: My son and his girlfriend have a very unhealthy relationship. Their arguments turn into physical confrontations, and she becomes abusive. She also is bipolar and is not taking her medication.

They briefly broke up, but she informed my son she was pregnant, and he decided to try to make things work for the sake of the child. They lived with her parents until her mother threw her out, and then they moved in with us.

They are constantly in and out of the relationship. I cannot tell you how many times my son has had a black eye or bruises or has been verbally trashed. I suggested they get counseling, but neither of them will go.

I fear for my unborn grandchild’s safety. Would it be out of line if I were to try to have her hospitalized or get some kind of inpatient treatment while she is pregnant?

Worried Grandma- To-Be

Dear Worried: It is not that easy to have someone forcibly hospitalized, especially when you are not related. Urge your son to do whatever is necessary to protect himself so he will be in a position to protect his child. Suggest he contact the Domestic Abuse Hotline for Men and Women (dahmw.org) at (888) 7-HELPLINE ([888] 743-5754) or Stop Abuse for Everyone at safe4all.org.

Dear Annie: I recently ignored a Facebook request to befriend my sister’s partner, “Liz.” I quickly got a message from my sister reprimanding me for disrespecting her partner. She went on to say I was no longer her friend and removed me from her Facebook friends list.

I tried to explain that I didn’t mean to offend anyone, but I had never met Liz, and since my sister was already on my list, I didn’t see the point of friending them both. What I didn’t say is that I strongly suspect Liz signs onto my sister’s account trying to pass herself off as my sister. I feel this is deceitful and dishonest, and it is the main reason I ignored her.

I have considered apologizing to them both. Should I do that or just let it go?

Unfriended Sister

Dear Unfriended: Do it. It is a small matter to you, but a big one for your sister.

Dear Annie: This is in response to “Grossed Out in the Silver State,” who said he is disgusted by morbidly obese persons who wear clothes that are too small.

I have seen numerous instances of thin people wearing jeans that hang down around their behinds, prompting one New York newspaper to call it “the new crack epidemic.”

He mentioned that morbidly obese people should consider custom-made clothing. Many overweight people are discriminated against because of their size and earn less and would find the cost of custom-made clothing out of reach.

New York

Dear New York: We agree that custom-made clothing is too costly for the average person, regardless of size. But there are plenty of discount stores with large sizes, as well as Goodwill, The Salvation Army and eBay.

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