Fending off particularly forceful "advice"





Yesterday, I posted the following comment on Dear Abby, regarding how to shut down egregiously bad childrearing advice, from a busybody elder who just won't take no for an answer:

"If LW is looking for more concrete advice on shutting down this pest, here is something from the New South Wales Ombudsman of Australia: "Interrupt the person’s monologue at the outset and assert control.
'If this does not work, reschedule and terminate the call – preferably for 24–48 hours or
sooner..."
"And if New Stepmom really keeps it up, LW can always stop socializing with these people. Sure, he's her dad, and she loves him, but baby has to come first, and so do current best practices for children's safety."

Has anyone had any similar issues with relatives like this?

Posted by Jennifer A. Nolan


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