Dear Readers: With the “Mean Girls” musical so widespread proper now, I’ve revisited my very own high-school discomfort and insecurity.
The “it” lady was brazenly handing out invites to her upcoming party. It was our graduating yr and “the party of the year” was the one subject on everybody’s minds.
Even my mom heard about it. I rushed to my room crying. Mom went out and bought a wrapped bottle of widespread fragrance, to offer to the birthday lady.
I used to be so shocked to obtain my invitation, that I faked sickness, afraid that these ladies had been planning to play a joke on me. Mom mentioned later, “If it didn’t feel right, then you had to follow your instinct.” It turned my guiding rule.
Q I learn your column faithfully and revel in it enormously. I learn the story about brand-new puppy issues (Nov. 27).
I’ve lately adopted an lovely rescue puppy. But I had NO concept how a lot effort elevating him was going to be! I take him to the canine park most days, however the present chilly climate makes me much less eager to do that.
I’ve discovered assist frequently via doggie daycare. It does cost some money so possibly it’s not available to everybody, however my expertise with it has been fantastic. He stays six to seven hours on the times he goes there.
When I decide him up, he’s a cheerful, exhausted puppy. And an exhausted puppy is a puppy who’s VERY straightforward to dwell with!
Your ideas?
Puppy love
A The expression “to each his/her own way,” in issues of dwell your life, may be very direct in that means: this instance you’ve written, about the way you deal with your puppy, is your business, as long as he’s wholesome, well-fed and energetic.
However, simply as with variations in the way in which folks elevate their youngsters, there are limits on what’s thought-about acceptable and what’s not.
In my young household, when there have been two school-age youngsters and two wholesome dogs (a senior purebred and a rambunctious puppy) doggie playtime dominated the family environment.
They had been petted lavishly, fed healthily, given a run each time they appeared stressed and snuggled lovingly at bedtime.
There isn’t any single proper strategy to be a dog-owner. But there’s a considerate, caring strategy to make sure that your canine is energetic and wholesome whereas not over-stimulated by an excessive amount of play time.
FEEDBACK Regarding when some life selections simply don’t add up (Jan.16):
Reader: “In my experience and exposure, ‘gap years’ never work. Once a person leaves the school environment it becomes extremely difficult to go back. Especially when people who continue with university/college immediately after high school tend to remain focused.
“When both kids were in high school, they were ‘equals.’ Then, not anymore. One is experiencing the ‘real world’ with only a high-school education. Very likely, any jobs he was able to get are menial with low pay at best.
“Meanwhile, the other is continuing forward toward a career via his university path. Accordingly, their ‘common’ paths are diverging, and they’re no longer having shared experiences.
“The same situation also often happens when high school friends attend different universities and pursue different career paths. Elements of their commonalities decrease.
“And if a friend does decide to return to school/university/college they will immediately be a year behind their friend.
“The reality: former buddies are discovering a new circle of friends based on their chosen paths. This will happen again once people enter the working world permanently. It’s all part of making life choices.”
Reader’s Commentary Regarding the query: Should dad and mom inform a baby about their adoption (Jan. 15)?
“When I was 13, my mother discovered that she was adopted by her grandparents when she was very young. The entire family knew but she was never told. She experienced a severe depression which affected everyone in her immediate family.
“Life as we once knew it ceased to exist. My mother and our family never recovered from the deception. Sixteen years later, my mother passed away and while clearing out the family home I discovered irrefutable evidence that I, too, was adopted and never told.
“My younger siblings were also adopted, all from different families.
“Perhaps I wasn’t important enough back then to be told the truth. My mother had purposefully destroyed all the adoption papers. None of us can find out just who we are.”
Not bitter however nonetheless unknown
Ellie’s tip of the day: Adoption is a constructive challenge, when youngsters are brazenly cherished and cared for by those that dearly need to elevate them.
