DEAR ABBY: One of my longtime friends, "Lena," sends e-mail constantly telling me to "check out the baby Web page." She's a grandmother and I can't seem to engage her in any other topic of conversation anymore. There is rarely any news from her except baby news.
I no longer open her e-mails because I know they will be only one more mass generic urging to check the latest baby update on the Web site. Lena is now on grandchild No. 2, so this has been going on for three years.
I'm ready to drift away from our friendship because we no longer communicate and I feel she's stuck in "babyland." Any advice? -- OVERLOADED IN GEORGIA
DEAR OVERLOADED: Level with Lena. Ask her to remove you from her mass e-mail list and to e-mail you only if she has a personal message to convey. When you talk with her, ask about common interests that have nothing to do with her grandchild, although you should expect to listen to some news about her major preoccupation.
If this is still more than you can tolerate, remember that friendships can have a life of their own and vary in intensity over time. You may become closer again a few years down the line when she's less preoccupied with the little ones. Because you have a circle of friends, concentrate more on them and less on Lena for now.