DEAR ABBY: The letter from "Mother of the New Kid on the Block," whose son is having trouble finding new friends in a one-friend-at-a-time neighborhood, prompts this letter. She said he gets on his bike and goes to another boy's home, only to find the other boy is not allowed to entertain more than one boy at a time.
Why does he have to go to someone else's house?
When our son was small and we moved to a new neighborhood, I invited the four neighbor boys near my son's age to our house on a Saturday afternoon for lemonade, stories and games. They enjoyed themselves so much they came over to our house to play every day. It was no trouble for me because my son was happy playing with his new friends in a safe place. I knew where he was and what he was doing at all times. The other mothers appreciated the fact that their children were supervised.
Yes, it takes some extra effort, but everything worthwhile takes work and commitment.
Abby, I'm glad I did it because my son had a happy childhood and grew up to be a well-adjusted man. -- JUANA O. ACOSTA, OXNARD, CALIF.
DEAR JUANA: Your solution was wise and loving, but it would have been more fair had the other mothers taken turns entertaining the children. Sharing the load lightens the burden.