Navigating Insults: How to Handle a Best Friend Who Insults Your Child

A mother seeks advice on how to handle her best friend's harsh treatment of her son, who has more energy than her friend's well-behaved daughters. The columnist suggests limiting time spent with the friend when their children are present and addressing the issue of her friend's criticism of her son. In another letter, a couple disagrees on whether their daughter should be forced to let a disliked adult stay in her room, highlighting a difference in parenting styles. The columnist advises having a conversation about boundaries and autonomy. Lastly, a grieving mother is upset when her sister-in-law announces she will use the name she had chosen for her stillborn daughter. The columnist suggests discussing feelings with the sister-in-law and finding alternative ways to honor the grandmother's memory.