DEAR ABBY: My son was married six months ago, and I just learned that a number of wedding gifts from our side of the family have not as yet been acknowledged.
As the mother of the groom, would it be improper for me to telephone or write a note to those whose wedding gifts have not been acknowledged? -- NO CITY, PLEASE
DEAR NO CITY: Although you are understandably embarrassed, it would be inappropriate for you to take it upon yourself to acknowledge your adult children's wedding gifts.
To do so would give the impression that your son and his bride are either lazy, negligent, disorganized, insensitive, thoughtless, procrastinating or ignorant -- or possibly all of the above. It would also make you appear to be a meddlesome and overprotective parent.
But since this has bothered you enough to write to me, I suggest that you tell your son and his bride that you are embarrassed by their negligence. Then volunteer to assist in a chore that appears to be too much for them.