Greetings, Miss Manners My in-laws and I spend a week at the beach every year. They cover the cost of the beach home, which we cannot afford and for which I am always rightfully thankful. My son and daughter each bring a buddy on these outings at the recommendation of their in-laws.
They rented a house last year, but there were only enough bedrooms for two of the four kids. My daughter and her friend were forced to sleep in the corridor, while my son and his friend shared a room. It wasn’t a huge concern because they were about the same age and there was no reason why one would require privacy more or less.
For this year’s trip, my mother-in-law leased the same house, so I thought my kid would sleep in the hallway. She has, however, stated that she plans to give him the bedroom once more.
She treats the women in the household like second-class citizens and has a somewhat Neanderthal habit of favoring men. For instance, she would give my daughter a coloring book for her birthday after giving my son a pricey skateboard. Part of it is a generational issue. This woman continues to refer to flight attendants as stewardesses and uses a number of other antiquated phrases.
Do I have the right to express my thoughts on this? She is the host on the one hand, but it offends my daughter on the other. Sometimes, the persistent pattern of favoring even causes discomfort for my son.
GENTLE READER: You are not authorized to rearrange rooms in another person’s home. Not to retrain your mother-in-law, no matter how much she needs it.
However, you do have the power to teach your kids, in this case by demonstrating to your son how to respond to his discomfort.
He may ask his grandmother if switching with Lily would be okay. It doesn’t seem fair that she was in the hall last summer. I’d be content to sleep in the hallway with Ethan.
(Questions can be sent to Miss Manners via email at [email protected], her website at www.missmanners.com, or by mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)
Latest Advice Columns
-
Asking Eric: Woman is confused about her granddaughter s sexuality
-
Dear Abby: My friend is enabling her abusive alcoholic boyfriend
-
Dear Annie: I m trying to reconnect with my father, but it s draining
-
Miss Manners: What can I say to patients who argue with ME about the fees, doctor s office employee asks
-
Hints from Heloise: The benefits of pouring vinegar down the drain and more …
