DEAR ABBY: My daughter has six beautiful children. Lately, my grandkids have been repeating conversations that their mother has had with their father. Some of the things they say are hurtful. They are young -- the oldest are 8 and 7 -- too young for me to tell them that what they are saying is unacceptable.
Example: The oldest says, "Your house is so small, you have no room for visitors." We do have a small house, but people are always welcome, and our dearest friends and family members know it. Once, the younger one said to me, "Dad says you laugh and talk too loud." This hurt me, and I can't help but take it personally. Should I say something to my daughter and son-in-law? And if so, what do I say without embarrassing them? Thanks. -- SMARTING IN BLUE SPRINGS, MO.
DEAR SMARTING: Excuse me, but I must disagree with you about something. At ages 8 and 7, your grandchildren are plenty old enough to be told when they say something rude and hurtful. Please don't wait any longer.
And as to what to say to your daughter and son-in-law -- start out this way: "Little pitchers have big ears, and not only that, they leak." You can wing it from there. Shame on them.