DEAR ABBY: I'm a 37-year-old mother of three. Until recently, I had a wonderful relationship with my mother. She's a beautiful lady who adopted me when I was 5. Mother is a teacher, author and political activist.
However, as she begins her 82nd year, our relationship has taken a nosedive. For years, she has been strong-willed about discussing her political views at every gathering and conversation. Guests have literally run out of the house after being badgered by her, and quake at the thought of visiting us. I finally gathered enough courage to tell Mom that her outspokenness was embarrassing me and my friends.
My reprimand worked for about a year. However, during the past three months she has been avoiding me. She refused to attend the family holiday parties and asked to see my children without me. She flatly states that my demand that she stop talking politics all the time is "unfair."
Her behavior is startling to me, and I'm unsure how to handle it. I hope you'll have some insight on how I can mend this fence. -- PUZZLED IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
DEAR PUZZLED: Given her professional background and her age, I'm sure your mother feels that the world wants her opinions. She's punishing you for not being receptive to her ideas. You aren't going to succeed in "muzzling" your mother, so apologize. Be grateful that she cares enough to have a viewpoint -- and tease her about it if she becomes a bore.