DEAR ABBY: I am the proud mother of four beautiful daughters, ages 9, 16 months and a set of 4-month-old twins. They are lovely, well-behaved children. My problem is that strangers feel compelled to make comments, especially about the younger ones. They say things like, "Whoa! That's a lot of work! I'm glad I'm not you!" or, "You sure don't waste any time!" -- and my favorite, "Are you going to keep trying for a boy?"
How rude! They even say to my 9-year-old, "You must have a lot of work to do at home, helping your mom with all those babies." She hears it almost daily.
My child does not raise my babies, and no, I'm not trying for a boy! I hear these comments every time I step out the door with my kids. It's starting to get to me. What should I say to these people without being as rude as they are? -- NO DRAMA MAMA IN SACRAMENTO, CALIF.
DEAR NO DRAMA MAMA: Look them straight in the eye and say, "My children are my joy -- and no, I'm not trying for a boy." And when your daughter is asked if she's being exploited as child labor, she should reply, "No, I have too many other things I enjoy doing." It's sad that some people have so little sensitivity -- or common sense -- and forget that they cannot always say the first thing that pops into their heads.