Woman’s free baby-sitting is her choice, not fiancé’s

DEAR ABBY: I am a stay-at-home mom with three children. Recently, another mom asked me to care for her 3-year-old daughter while she went to work. She offered to pay me, but I declined, given her circumstances, because I consider her a friend, even though I have known her for only a short time.
My fiancé is now mad at me for not charging her. How can I make him see that it is not a problem for me since I am stuck at home anyway?
It’s not like I am losing money by doing her a favor.
STUCK AT HOME IN COLORADO

DEAR STUCK: That it’s not a problem for you isn’t the point. It’s a problem for your fiancé. He may not want the family’s hard-earned money going toward feeding someone else’s child. But ultimately, the decision about whether to do this favor for your friend should be yours, and not his.

DEAR ABBY: My wife and I recently moved, taking jobs that are closer to our son and daughter-in-law. They have no children but want to start a family, and we are praying for our first grandchild.
When they take business trips (which is often), I take care of their cats and dogs. A few days ago, while I was in their bedroom (where the cats are kept), I saw an anatomically correct sex toy that had been left on the bed stand. I’m no prude, but should I say something to my son? We have an excellent relationship. I’m concerned that he may need some fatherly advice if they are having conception problems. What do you think?
CONCERNED IN WASHINGTON

DEAR CONCERNED: In the interest of family harmony, keep your advice to yourself unless you are asked. If they are having “conception problems,” rest assured they will find their way to a fertility expert without your assistance.

DEAR ABBY: My 24-year-old son got married in August 2016. His wife is very nice and we get along fine. He’s my youngest child and we are very close.
My issue is, she refuses to put their wedding picture in the newspaper. She said it’s not necessary, and the people most important know they are already married. I want to keep it as a remembrance just like my daughter had hers in years ago. My son is agreeing with her. Please help.
NEWSPAPER WEDDING PHOTO

DEAR NEWSPAPER: It’s seven months too late for your son and daughter-in-law’s wedding picture to appear in the paper. At this point it’s “old news.” It would be better to reconcile your disappointment at not having the memento, because he and his wife are unified on this and the battle is already lost.
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