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The latest family and relationships stories, summarized by AI
Featured Family And Relationships Stories


"Refusing to Follow BIL's Birth Plan: AITA?"
A surrogate turned to Reddit for advice after refusing her brother-in-law and his wife's demands for an unmedicated water birth, sparking a discussion on the importance of boundaries and trust in surrogacy arrangements. The online community supported her decision to enforce her own comfort and health needs, highlighting the complexities and pressures involved in surrogacy.

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Nicole Brown's Sisters Speak Out on OJ Simpson's Death After 30 Years
The Independent•1 year ago
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"Dealing with Drunk Grandmas: Parenting Advice"
The writer is concerned about the behavior of drunk grandmothers in their family and among friends, who become unkind to the grandchildren when intoxicated. They feel distressed hearing complaints about the inability to set boundaries and protect the kids from the drunk grandmothers. The advice suggests addressing the issue within the family, being a buffer between the grandmothers and the kids, and considering avoiding gatherings to protect future children from the behavior.

"Carolyn Hax: How to Handle Embarrassing Mom Moments at Restaurants"
A parent seeks advice after her teenagers were embarrassed when she politely asked a server to replace a dirty glass at a restaurant. The columnist emphasizes the importance of addressing issues at businesses and the need for self-advocacy, while also cautioning against entitlement. The parent is encouraged to continue modeling polite assertiveness for her kids.

"Ask Amy: How to Handle Family Exclusion of Disabled Partner"
A widower's daughter excluded his disabled partner from a family gathering, possibly due to anti-vaxxer sentiments or discomfort with disabilities. Amy advises the widower to discuss the situation with his daughter and consider staying home with his partner to maintain peace. In another letter, a man inherits $500,000 and seeks advice on how to handle it, with Amy cautioning him to consult a financial adviser. Additionally, proud parents share their college payment rules, which led to their children successfully completing their degrees.

"Navigating Relationships with Ex-Sister-in-Law Post-Divorce: Tips for Extended Family"
A woman seeks advice on maintaining a close relationship with her ex-sister-in-law despite her brother's new wife's disapproval, a grandmother wonders if she's enabling her daughter or being supportive after her daughter's unexpected pregnancy, a woman is concerned about her boyfriend's loyalty to his emotionally immature mother, and a mother seeks advice on fostering a relationship between her 8-year-old son, who is not baby-friendly, and her new baby on the way.

"Concerned Mother: Coping with an Alcoholic Daughter's Potential Loss"
A concerned mother seeks advice on helping her alcoholic daughter, who refuses to seek treatment. Amy suggests maintaining a loving relationship, setting boundaries, and offering support without enabling the addiction. In another letter, a reader defends the practice of requiring college students to achieve at least a B grade, emphasizing the importance of responsibility and exploring alternative paths if college isn't the right fit.

"Should I Pay My Stepdaughters to Lose Weight? Ask Amy Advises"
A husband wants to pay his adult daughters to lose weight, but his wife disagrees, believing it's a mistake to bring up their weight. Amy Dickinson suggests discussing obesity as a disease rather than a character flaw and approaching the topic in a loving, supportive, and non-judgmental way. She emphasizes the challenges and stigma surrounding obesity and encourages open communication.

"Supporting an Alcoholic Daughter Without Enabling"
A concerned mother seeks advice on how to support her alcoholic daughter without enabling her. Amy Dickinson suggests maintaining a loving relationship, offering a judgment-neutral safe harbor, and encouraging treatment while maintaining boundaries to avoid enabling the addiction. She also recommends seeking support from therapy, Al-Anon, and reading "Codependent No More" by Melody Beattie.

"Why Won't My Best Friend Let Me Babysit His Baby?"
A single woman with a close friendship with a couple who recently had a baby feels hurt and excluded because they won't let her babysit, possibly due to her autoimmune disorder. She suspects ableism from her friend and is unsure how to address the situation without damaging their friendship. The advice suggests having an open conversation with the friend about her feelings and past comments, while acknowledging the difficulty of the situation and the importance of preserving the friendship.

"Dealing with Mixed Emotions: Coping with a Sibling's Pregnancy"
The letter writer is struggling with conflicting emotions about her sister's pregnancy, feeling sad about the impending changes in their relationship and admitting to not liking kids or babies. The advice columnist suggests being honest with the sister about concerns, maintaining open communication, and being flexible with changing dynamics. It's important to navigate the new normal and put in effort to maintain the relationship despite differing preferences.

"Sisterly Struggles: Navigating a Strange Attachment to My Husband"
A woman seeks advice about her husband's sister, who exhibits possessive behavior towards her brother. The columnist emphasizes the sister's difficult childhood after their mother's death and suggests that the husband's connection with his sister is understandable and important. The columnist advises the woman to be more empathetic towards the sister, encourage therapy, and foster a positive relationship for the sake of their future child.