Dear Amy: My wife and I are staying with my sister and her family for a while because our house is being renovated.
While staying with them, of course, we have witnessed how they do things, and I have a serious issue with how my sister is raising her children, who are 10 and 7.
They’re pretty nice kids, but honestly so far in life they are fairly useless. My sister and I grew up on a farm and by their ages we were extremely competent in taking care of ourselves. We also had barn chores after school.
Her children don’t really do anything to help the family at home. They don’t make their own beds (my sister does it), don’t put their school lunches together (my sister does it), and they only take care of the dog when an adult reminds them.
I feel strongly that she is raising them to be useless, entitled people. I believe it might be my duty as her older brother (and their uncle) to be honest about this.
My wife disagrees. We agreed to run this past you.
– Concerned Uncle
Dear Uncle: It is the height of entitlement to criticize your sister’s parenting choices – while staying as a guest in her home.
I suggest that you reflect on your own lofty attitude (while accepting your sister’s hospitality), and keep your thoughts to yourself.
Dear Amy: I was surprised by your response to “Worried Uncle,” who was about to host his heavily vaping teen daughter for a week.
You suggested that he should “not police” her for vaping products.
I disagree – “policing” is exactly what this girl needs.
– Disappointed
Dear Disappointed: The uncle had already stated the “no vaping” rule while at his home. That should be enough.
(You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or Facebook.)
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