DEAR ABBY: At what point does a parent stop giving unsolicited advice? It is painful to watch my "child" repeatedly make choices that aren't in her best interest.
My daughter, "Alicia," is 43. When she inherited a considerable estate, I told her the windfall could make her quite comfortable in her old age. She agreed. After a year and a half I doubt she has much of her inheritance left.
Now that yet another live-in relationship has ended, I suggested that next time she find a man who is self-supporting. I also urged her to quit uprooting herself and her kids.
After years of weight issues, Alicia now has a new figure thanks to Lap-Band and plastic surgery. She let the boyfriend du jour select the size of her implants. Being of the strip club mentality, he chose DD. Abby, my daughter looks like two olives on a toothpick. I'm heartsick and can't help but wonder what my teenage grandchildren think. It's hard to watch a train wreck happen.
Although I am trying to keep my mouth shut, she tells me she "feels" my disapproval. I think it's her conscience that she's trying to ignore. Must I duct tape my mouth shut? -- DISAPPROVING MOM IN TEXAS
DEAR MOM: At this point, yes. Your daughter is an adult. She hasn't listened before and she's unlikely to do it now. Perhaps when her current romance ends, she'll be more receptive. But for now, keep mum, mom.