Dear Abby: My brother-in-law overstepped by inviting kids on our trip

Greetings, Abby

I have over twenty-five years of experience as an amateur astronomer. I constantly monitor meteors and any other cosmic occurrence. This year, my husband and I invited my brother-in-law and his spouse to join us in watching a meteor shower. I booked and paid the deposit for two camping spots in a pleasant area, near some of the nicest night skies, because we both have campers. Over a month has passed since the reservations were made.

Yesterday, I received a call from my sister-in-law, with whom I have been close for over two decades, informing me that my BIL had invited three of their adolescent granddaughters. Since we’ll be up for half the night and traveling for thirty minutes to get to the dark sky location, Abby, I assumed they understood that it would be an adult event. Every year, I do this.

Since I invited them and handled all the planning for this occasion, I told my SIL that my BIL ought to have asked me first. I informed her that my BIL was wrong for not asking me first if it was okay after we spoke on the phone for ninety minutes.

She texted me shortly after we hung up to let me know that they would not be attending, so I should cancel their reservation. This campsite is 90 kilometers away by car. It’s thirty minutes from where they live. Was it incorrect of me to inform her that, as the hostess for two days and nights, I ought to have been asked first? — GLORIOUS IN THE WEST

Greetings, starry-eyed

It was improper for your brother-in-law to invite anyone without first getting your approval. Despite their good intentions, what they did was impolite. You might decide to invite those girls to an event of this nature in the future if they express an interest in astronomy. However, their appearance shouldn’t have come as a surprise.

See also  NY weather update: Lake effect snow warning affecting New York until Monday evening

** ** **Abigail Van Buren, better known as Jeanne Phillips, is the author of Dear Abby. Her mother, Pauline Phillips, began the company. For more information, visit www.DearAbby.com or send an email to P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.** ** **Order How to Be Popular for a great manual on how to become a more gregarious and better conversationalist. Please send a check or money order for $8 (U.S. cash) to Dear Abby, Popularity Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447, along with your name and mailing address. (The price includes shipping and handling.)

Note: Every piece of content is rigorously reviewed by our team of experienced writers and editors to ensure its accuracy. Our writers use credible sources and adhere to strict fact-checking protocols to verify all claims and data before publication. If an error is identified, we promptly correct it and strive for transparency in all updates, feel free to reach out to us via email. We appreciate your trust and support!

More From Author

+ There are no comments

Add yours