DEAR ABBY: My 3-year-old daughter was recently invited to a birthday party for two of her classmates (twins). The party is scheduled for a weeknight from 6 to 8:30 p.m. -- the time I have set for bath time, story time and lights out at 8 p.m.
Would I be rude and insensitive if I do not permit my daughter to attend? I don't want to offend the mother, but I don't want to rev my child up with sugary party snacks and activities right before a late bedtime. -- CONFUSED IN TEXAS
DEAR CONFUSED: Rude and insensitive? No. Rigid? Yes. I'm willing to bet that the mother of the twins is a working woman, and the party would be earlier if it was possible. I see no harm in bending the rules or flexing your daughter's schedule once in a while. Of course, you will be going with your daughter to the party, so monitoring what she eats should be a cinch. Feeding your daughter a healthy meal before the party should ensure that she won't overdose on sugar. I say, let her go.