Dear Abby: My close neighbors have three grown children.
My friends admit to this day that it was always important to them to be their kids’ friends and the “popular” parent, and to never enforce discipline or guidance in their children’s lives.
My 19 year old daughter has a drug and alcohol problem and recently lost control while drinking at a friend’s house. Her parents were contacted to come pick her up. On the way home, they called me and asked if I could help them get her back in control.
When police arrived, the daughter was in the back seat screaming and severely beating her mother, kicking out the side window of the car, urinating everywhere, and was suicidal.
We got her out of the car, but she continued to resist, repeatedly screaming that she wanted to die. I told them I was going to call 911, but they attacked me and said, “No way.” do not have!”
They just wanted to take her home, tie her to the furniture and let her sleep. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.
They grabbed her by the arms and dragged her to the ground and into the house. The screaming and fighting escalated. I called the police. She was held for 72 hours from 5:50pm and taken to hospital.
Now they’re mad at me. I feel like I did the right thing considering they chose to involve me and what other options I had. Was I wrong? Or do I need to reevaluate the friendship? — Arizona Intervention
Dear Intervener: Please reconsider your friendship with this clueless couple — they’ll thank you.
The girl needs more help than her parents can provide by simply tying her to the furniture — she needs not only intervention, but psychological and medical treatment.
Not only did you do nothing wrong by calling 911, you did everything right.
Dear Abby: I recently made plans with a friend, and a few days before, I messaged her to ask if we were still available, and she told me she had made other plans.
She claimed she had forgotten about our plans, but told her that nothing was set in stone and we decided to have a special birthday dinner together.
My friend admitted that she wanted to spend time with other people, which is fine, but I don’t understand why she lied about forgetting about our plans. I can’t believe her anymore.
Lying doesn’t build relationships and she doesn’t seem to care about my feelings. No matter what I say she doesn’t understand why I’m upset so now I don’t know how to respond. — Set sail in Michigan
Dear Castoff: Stop responding to this person who seems more like a flirt than a friend.
If she’s worth spending time with, meet her at your convenience. youAnd if a better offer comes along, don’t hesitate to jump at it – after you’ve told her what you’re up to, of course – but it would be rude to keep her waiting.
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren (aka Jeanne Phillips) and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at DearAbby.com or write to PO Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
