Ask Annie for Nov. 19, 2003 Dear Annie,
I'm trying to be a good mother-in-law now that my oldest son's married. I don't meddle or nag, but one thing's really bothering me. The kids don't change my grandbaby's diaper often enough. It seems like every time I pick him up, he smells like he needs a change. I have to bite my tongue from saying something. They're both working, and they have good childcare, but when they've got the baby, they seem too busy to change his pants. The other day I grabbed a diaper and changed him myself, and he had a terrible diaper rash, so now I'm more upset than ever.
Gramma, Morton, WA
Dear Gramma,
You did just right to change his pants yourself when you did. I'm sure you mentioned the rash, too, and got something to put on it. I know your hesitant to speak up and you think the reception will be negative, but you need to talk to them about it for the sake of your grandson's health. Diaper rashes are nothing to mess around with and can cause serious infections. Even minor ones make the babies so uncomfortable, you have to feel sorry for them. Please tell them what you're worried about. The fact that you're doing it out of love and concern for their baby, not out of any harmful motives, will temper their reactions.
Annie
Dear Readers,
One of your local angels wrote to ask that we remind you to donate pet food this year during food drives. When people hit on hard times, so do their animals. This kindhearted soul would also like you to add items such as toilet paper and soap to your gifts. You people in Lewis County are so lucky to have thoughtful helpers like her over there!
Annie
Please write to: Annie, P.O. Box 1084, Eatonville,WA 98328
E-mail: letters_annie@hotmail.com
Past Ask Annies:
Nov. 12, 2003 Husband Driven Nuts To Do Crafts By Wife
Nov. 5, 2003 Dreading Husband's Retirement
Oct. 29, 2003 Move back home from boyfriend's house?
Oct. 22, 2003 Did I raise my daughter to do these things?
Oct. 15, 2003 Misunderstanding about School Workers' Kindness
Oct. 8, 2003 Prayer for Brown Sisters Killed and Change Schoolyear to Oct.1 to June 30
Oct. 1, 2003 Response About Non-tipping Lotto Winner
Sept. 24, 2003 Church-goers Inattentive
Sept. 17, 2003 Friend Sells My Stuff on Ebay
Sept. 10, 2003 Lottery Winner Didn't Tip Clerk
Sept. 3, 2003 Business Insults to Consumers
Aug. 27, 2003 Divison of Wedding Expense
Aug. 20, 2003 School Workers' Kindness & Men's Attractiveness
Aug. 13, 2003 Attractiveness Hints
Aug. 6, 2003 Annie's Husband's Accident at Work
July 30, 2003 Deer Automatic Sprinkler Best & Stores Don't Stock Washington Clothes
July 23, 2003 Scarecrows and Halloween Decorations Scare Off Prowlers Too
July 16, 2003 Redhead Asks Attractiveness Advice
July 2, 2002 Atomatic Deer Scarecrow Blasts Prowler