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Last month a good friend of mine got engaged and started planning her wedding. The couple has not yet set a date but were considering holding the ceremony in about a year. More recently, her future mother-in-law was diagnosed with cancer and given only months to live. What should the couple do? Should they move up the wedding date so the mother-in-law can be there?
There should be no question that moving the wedding date up so that the groom’s mother can attend is the proper, and more importantly, loving, thing to do. One would hope the bride has the character to step forward and give this most important gift to her groom and his family.
Is it appropriate for a mother to hostess her own daughter’s baby shower?
No. A relative should not host a shower of any kind for another relative. It is considered to be grabbing and is in poor taste. Ideally, a close friend of the grandmother-to-be or mother-to-be will step forward and honor the family by offering to host a shower.
What is the appropriate way to address laborers, artificers, tradesmen and others not entitled to the rank of gentleman or the title of “Mr.”?
We assume, in the United States of America, that all men are gentlemen until their behavior indicates otherwise, regardless of their trade or socio-economic position. Unless the man requests differently, he should be addressed as Mr.
I would think, in this day and age, this should apply globally and be championed by those in your line of work, Rev. la Rose. Please give my best regards to Sean.
A friend called me this evening about hosting a baby shower for me in March. I am a first-time mom who will be 40 when the baby arrives in April. Like many others, I have been directly impacted by the recession as I have been unemployed since June and have had very limited contact with former coworkers as it has been awkward. Additionally, I live more then 6 hours (on the low end) from my closest friends and family. She has asked for a list of invitees and I am at a loss as to who to invite as I do not want to place a burden or sense of obligation on others. Who should I put on the list?
You are the thoughtful type of friend I personally would fly across the country to celebrate with at your baby shower, so I would encourage you to invite your closest friends and family, as well as ex coworkers you enjoyed when you were employed. It is up to each individual whether or not they actually travel to the shower, but if they don’t, I am sure many will appreciate being invited and will want to send a baby gift when your bundle arrives and not view this as a burden, but a delight in your happiness. In addition, ask your local friends. Best wishes to you and your family!
Toilet paper. Over the top? Or underneath?
J.B., please refer to the open thread of July 22nd on this site, where this topic has been covered from bow to stern. This thread can be found under the Archives section at the bottom right of this site’s homepage.
Great reference. Maybe the topic has been covered “over and under”.