Dear Abby advises a woman who wants to stop her elderly father from driving and a vegan sick of being asked about her diet.
My father, who is 84, just had a mild stroke. The problem is he wants to drive his car. My sister says we should just let him, but I don’t think he’s capable of driving safely anymore. She says we can’t legally stop him from driving.
Dad has occasional dizzy spells and double vision, which started the day he had a stroke several weeks ago. He has also lost a lot of weight and has been told he needs to eat a heart-healthy diet and eat more. Dad has diabetes and high cholesterol. He has had problems with his memory lately, too, and not just age-related. He can’t remember details from doctors’ appointments, forgets to take his blood pressure a couple times a day and can’t remember what he is supposed to do for physical therapy.
I usually try to keep the mood light, so I answer them. But I have grown tired of being questioned because more often than not, it doesn’t stop. They want me to go into detail about why I eat what I eat . They tell me how they couldn’t be healthy or couldn’t give up cheese. I get stuck in the middle of a monologue that feels a lot like I’m being bullied and judged.
I don’t want to feel pushed around, but I also want to keep it light. How can I tell them I don’t want to discuss my eating habits without sounding rude? I don’t judge them and would like the same respect. —Sometimes it ain’t what you say, but how you say it. If you can muster a smile when you reply, “I came here to have a good time, not discuss my diet. Let’s change the subject,” it might end the discussion.
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Dear Abby: I want to leave my husband for another manDear Abby advises a woman who wants to leave her husband and an aunt who feels like she’s being shunned by her family.
Read more »
Dear Abby: ‘In my heart I want to go back to my ex,’ married woman saysI have been remarried for eight years now, to a wonderful man who is good to me, but aloof to my needs or desires.
Read more »
Dear Abby: I guess I’m not good enough to invite to the gender revealAfter this snub, why should I go to the baby shower?
Read more »
Dear Abby: Woman in loveless marriage considers going back to exMy ex-husband has apologized and asked for forgiveness. He then told me he has never stopped loving me.
Read more »
Dear Abby: My child’s father is a deadbeat dadDear Abby advises a single mother and here’s advice from a reader about making the most of life in your sixties.
Read more »
Dear Abby: ‘Life is short, make the most of the time you have ...’DEAR ABBY: I read the letter from the woman who is feeling alone at 66 and pondering the purpose of life ...
Read more »