There's a hitch in the plan to get hitched....

In response to:  http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/tribu/askamy/ct-ae-1229-amy-20111229,0,4309145.column

Dear Amy:  You actually offered a few valid thoughts on this one, but overall go off the mark.   You seem to get entrenched with your own thought processes, rather than what the Wannabe Bride is divulging to you.  The Bride and Groom need to discuss the reasons for their preferred choices.   What they divulge to each other may be more about their individual values (what they consider public or private) or personal issues (shyness) rather than their marital values.  Amy, just because a person can “handle” a large reception (notice handle, not prefer), doesn’t mean they aren’t painfully shy.  If she doesn’t like large crowds, or prefers to be in small groups in general, and he is the opposite, that is something they need to understand about each other, before marriage.  I compliment the couple on discussing compromises, but they really need to work on discussing what is below the surface.     

Grandma worries about teen bathing with kids...

In response to:  http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/tribu/askamy/ct-ae-1226-amy-20111226,0,1360019.column

Dear Amy:  I often wonder how you ever got this job.   Some sort of promotion?   Granny clearly reads the news.  The question is how well does she know this aunt?  Is there reason to suspect this person as being a sexual predator?   Because if so, one doesn’t need a tub to pursue those needs.  For the majority of us, playing in the tub with young children is social, not sexual.   It’s fun!   And believe it or not, it’s pretty easy to grab a child and bring them to safety when you’re next to them!  Tubs, Amy, are generally pretty small and when an adult sits in there, there is even less room for a child to go under water.   Oh, and one more thing, in our society, 18 year olds are considered to be adults!