DEAR ABBY: Last summer when our son was 13 months old, we visited my in-laws in another state. While there, we went out to their lake place, where they keep an older, somewhat rundown boat. After dinner, my father-in-law, who had consumed a couple of beers, wanted us all to hop in the boat and go for a spin around the lake.
Since there was no infant life jacket available (the type with a special neck support that is meant to keep an infant's head above water), I refused. My father-in-law became infuriated and proceeded to berate me because none of the other daughters-in-law with small children had a problem with taking their kids in the boat without life jackets. My husband supported my position; however, since then my father-in-law has been rude and condescending toward me.
Given the fact that this man had a couple of drinks and the boat is old, I just didn't want to take any chances. Every year we hear about boating accidents where people might have survived if they had been wearing a life jacket. Was I out of line? And what do I do about my father-in-law? -- CAREFUL MOM IN WASHINGTON
DEAR CAREFUL: You were not out of line. You were behaving the way a conscientious parent should. Even if your father-in-law had an infant life jacket, you should never get in a boat navigated by someone who has been drinking.
Your father-in-law was talking through his beer and behaving like a spoiled child. You can't change him -- he is the only person who can do that. Keep your distance until he cleans up his act and apologizes.