DEAR ABBY: My daughter-in-law is having a baby. My mother and I told her we would have a shower for her. She registered at a local store for baby gifts, let us start planning the shower, and then informed us that she would not be opening gifts at the party. My son has sided with her. He said he didn't know her reason, but felt like it was no big deal.
Why would she act that way? We think it's peculiar. The shower has now been canceled at her request. -- MYSTIFIED IN CALIFORNIA
DEAR MYSTIFIED: Your daughter-in-law may have been trying to be considerate of any guests -- possibly members of her family -- whose gifts might not have been as expensive as those purchased or crafted by other guests. Or she may have felt self-conscious about being the center of attention.
While I agree that one of the pleasures of attending a shower is seeing the expression of joy on the mother-to-be's face as the presents are unwrapped, look at it this way: Because the shower is canceled, your problem is solved. Now forget about it.