DEAR ABBY: I recently had a baby. Two of my friends became mothers five and nine months ago. We are all first-time stay-at-home moms, which has been great except they constantly offer unwanted advice every time I see them and try to come off like they're experts. I agree that they sometimes offer helpful advice, but it's getting old because I'm becoming confident in my parenting skills and judgment. How do I politely let them know that if I want advice, I'll ask for it? -- UNWANTED ADVICE IN TENNESSEE
DEAR TENNESSEE: Do it by first acknowledging them for being such good friends and wanting to be helpful. Then add that, as you have told me, you are now more confident with your own parenting skills and would prefer they wait to be asked before offering any more unsolicited advice.