DEAR ABBY: My sister is always late sending birthday presents to my kids -- sometimes up to a month or two after their birthdays. I find it disrespectful and a bad example, so I asked that she either send them on time or not at all. It did no good. She complained that I am being "unfair to hold her to a deadline."
My sister has all year to plan around these events, and I feel she needs to be more responsible. It's affecting our relationship. Please advise. -- CALENDAR GAL, ROCHESTER, N.Y.
DEAR CALENDAR GIRL: If you could see all of the letters I receive from readers complaining that they receive no gifts, you would realize that your children are lucky to be remembered. While I agree that sending birthday presents as long as a month or two after the fact sends a message that their special day is not of primary importance to your sister, please do not let this create a rift. Explain to your children that Auntie loves them, but she is extremely disorganized. (A "ditz"!)