DEAR ABBY: My husband "Rick's" former wife, "Pearl," is determined to spoil Father's Day for my husband. It happens every year. They have four grown children; the youngest is 28. Pearl invites all of the children to her house for dinner on Father's Day. She also invites Rick's father. (Rick and his father don't have the best relationship.)
I know she does it to hurt Rick. There are 52 weeks in a year, and she could invite Rick's dad over on any of the other 51 weekends. She is so conniving that even a 4-year-old could see through her.
Rick and I never interfere with her plans for Mother's Day or any other holiday.
We can't make plans in advance and outfox her because she always issues the invitation so far in advance. Does she have a lack of class or what? How can we get around this? -- FRUSTRATED IN WISCONSIN
DEAR FRUSTRATED: Discuss this situation with Rick's father and the children. Tell the children their father would love to have them spend Father's Day with him from now on. After all, it is supposed to be HIS special day. Say the same thing to Rick's father, and it might be a step in the right direction in mending their relationship. If they are unwilling to cooperate, the two of you should make special plans of your own on Father's Day.