Article Image Alt Text

Occasional smoker’s mom thinks she’s gone to pot

DEAR ABBY: I am a 30-year-old single mom of two young girls. After my divorce, I returned to my hometown where my family is.
I’m enrolled in school full time and set to graduate in two semesters. I have a 3.7 GPA, my girls are well-adjusted and well-behaved, and I have my own place. My mom primarily watches my girls when I’m in school, and I feel lucky to have her support.
The other day, Mom came into my room and opened my bedside drawer. Like most people, this is where I keep my most private things. She discovered that I had a pack of cigarettes and some marijuana.
Abby, I don’t smoke often, but sometimes when the kids are down and things are taken care of, I like to smoke a joint, watch some shows and fall asleep. I take care of my responsibilities, and I don’t feel like an occasional joint impacts me negatively.
Mom now says she will no longer watch her grandchildren and doesn’t want to see me again! I feel completely hurt, violated and disrespected.
We said some nasty things to each other, and I can’t help but feel like she is completely wrong for reacting the way she did. Any advice would be much appreciated.
RESPONSIBLE (OCCASIONAL) SMOKER IN OHIO

DEAR RESPONSIBLE: Your mother overreacted, but she should not have been going into your drawer(s). Apologize for whatever you said to her in the heat of anger. (She should also apologize to you for snooping.) Make whatever arrangements you need for child care apart from your mother, and either quit smoking or do it away from your home.
Children are a lot sharper than they are often given credit for, and their sense of smell is particularly acute. In a few short years, they will recognize that Mommy “smokes,” so quit setting a bad example. That way, when you tell them that smoking is bad for their health, you won’t be a hypocrite.

DEAR ABBY: I have been married for a year. Before we met, my husband posted pictures of his ex on his Facebook page photo album. I have asked him to remove them because I feel insulted and hurt. I don’t think it’s right his keeping them on the page now that we are married. I feel it’s disrespectful to our marriage and inconsiderate.
We have been fighting over this, and it’s ruining our relationship. Can you enlighten me about this?
NO. 1 LADY
IN SAN FRANCISCO

DEAR LADY: I don’t blame you for being upset. By now your husband should have outgrown the need to publicize his previous conquests. While your husband may be thinking that keeping the pictures up makes him look worldly, what it shows is his insensitivity to the woman he married, and I think that’s sad for both of you.
***
Good advice for everyone — teens to seniors — is in “The Anger in All of Us and How to Deal With It.” To order, send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $7 to: Dear Abby, Anger Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447.
--By Jeanne Phillips
© 2015 Universal Press Syndicate

Follow Us