DEAR ABBY: I need your help to resolve an ongoing fight in our home. My husband reads during every meal. Whether it's a newspaper, magazine or cereal box, he props it up in front of him and reads. I find this rude and asked him to stop -- but he sees nothing wrong with it.
Even more bothersome is his giving me a summary of everything he reads. He doesn't make conversation -- he simply tells me what he reads.
Other than that, and the fact that he refuses to help me teach our young children table manners, our marriage is great. Perhaps I shouldn't complain. However, friends of mine also complain about this same fault, so your advice could help others as well.
Abby, please help me convince my husband that mealtime should be family time and the reading material should be put aside for another time. My husband will listen to you. -- KATHLEEN, SAN PEDRO, CALIF.
DEAR KATHLEEN: If this is the only flaw in an otherwise perfect husband, thank your lucky stars. Compromise. Offer to keep quiet about breakfast table reading if he will make dinnertime a family affair. He owes you one of the two, and dinnertime is preferable.