09-08-2009, 02:19 AM
Does anyone here remember the "Louisville" letter? It doesn't ring a bell.
***
Dear Annie: This is in response to "Louisville," who was offended by her child-free married friend who states that she feels lucky not to have kids whenever she hears about problems others are having with their children.
I am a child-free person who understands where the friend is coming from, although I also remember my mother saying how lucky she felt to have my sister and me when she heard about someone else's children getting into trouble.
Louisville's friend may not be trying to reassure herself that she made the right decision not to have children (an idea I find somewhat offensive because it implies that anyone who chooses not to have children regrets it or must justify it). She may simply be grateful not to have those complications in her life. Of course, if she states it too often, I agree someone should speak up, as it can get annoying. But "Louisville" sounds a bit oversensitive and might consider why she is so offended. — Hobart, Ind.
Dear Hobart: You seem to be reading a great deal into this. We don't believe "Louisville" is oversensitive. Any comment repeated ad nauseam is irritating. Any comment that implicitly criticizes you can be offensive. If someone does this repeatedly, we have to wonder why.
***
Dear Annie: This is in response to "Louisville," who was offended by her child-free married friend who states that she feels lucky not to have kids whenever she hears about problems others are having with their children.
I am a child-free person who understands where the friend is coming from, although I also remember my mother saying how lucky she felt to have my sister and me when she heard about someone else's children getting into trouble.
Louisville's friend may not be trying to reassure herself that she made the right decision not to have children (an idea I find somewhat offensive because it implies that anyone who chooses not to have children regrets it or must justify it). She may simply be grateful not to have those complications in her life. Of course, if she states it too often, I agree someone should speak up, as it can get annoying. But "Louisville" sounds a bit oversensitive and might consider why she is so offended. — Hobart, Ind.
Dear Hobart: You seem to be reading a great deal into this. We don't believe "Louisville" is oversensitive. Any comment repeated ad nauseam is irritating. Any comment that implicitly criticizes you can be offensive. If someone does this repeatedly, we have to wonder why.