V21 N42

The Answer Lady invites inquiries from
gentle readers on all manner of relationship
quandaries, matters of the
heart and ethics. If you’d like to send
a query, write to info@exitzero.us. Or,
simply sit back, enjoy a cup of coffee and contemplate
the wisdom herein.
Dear Answer Lady
I have three children. For the first time,
I have decided not to host Christmas dinner.
Instead of getting together and deciding which
one of them will take over the tradition, they
have each decided to have their own dinner.
They all have partners/spouses and children,
and I understand, but they also all expect me
to either be at three places at once or choose
one of them. I can’t stand it. It’s a lose-lose and
I don’t know what to do except start cooking.
Help. — Tug of War Mom
Dear Tug
The Answer Lady is sympathetic, but it is
also unfair of you to think your children even
want the whole family celebration thing. After
all, their partners and spouses have families
The Answer Lady
Wise answers to perplexing questions
as well and kids often like to stay in their own
home. It is also unfair of them to expect you to
choose one of them over the other. Assuming
they live near, you could divide the day.
Breakfast with one. Dinner with the second
and dessert with the third. Don’t go empty
handed. Coffee from Love the Cook is an
excellent gift for the breakfast crowd. Bubbly
from Sunset Liquors for dinner and a bottle of
vodka from Nauti Spirits Distillery for dessert.
Dear Answer Lady
A good friend of mine has invited us to
their house for a holiday party. We love them,
but not their two dogs. They refuse to put
them in another part of the house and they’re
not well-behaved. Jump on people, often
resulting in a spilt cocktail and/or jump on the
sofa the minute we sit down. These are Golden
Retrievers — not lap dogs. Is there nothing we
can say? It would mean a rift in our friendship
to not attend, but my husband and I are
groaning at the close encounters of the furry
kind. Any thoughts? — Dog Gone Conflicted
Dear Conflicted
The Answer Lady does not share your
dog aversion, but that said, she has the perfect
solution. Naturally, you will bring a hostess
gift. Stop at Splash for a gift of sea glass.
Chocolate from Louisa’s Chocolate Bar might
also be an idea. Then pop in at West Side
Market. Talk to Shaine at the butcher’s section
and ask him for two soup bones for the dogs
and let them have it. Chances are you won’t see
a hair of their furry heads the entire night.
November 23, 2023 EXIT ZERO Page 53