DEAR ABBY: My sister "Diane" lives across the country and is an active alcoholic. I have been sober for 13 years, with the exception of a relapse in 2012. I have an 11-year-old daughter.
In addition to the alcoholism, Diane is in an abusive marriage. I have seen it firsthand when I visited her. During each of these visits we have argued, she and her husband have fought, and Diana has drunk heavily.
I have decided to not expose my daughter to my sister's drama. It was sad and stressful for me when I witnessed it. Diana is hurt and now refuses to speak to me. Did I make the right decision? -- SAFE & SOBER IN OAKLAND
DEAR SAFE & SOBER: I'm sorry your sister is hurt, but as a parent, it's up to you to decide what you want your impressionable daughter to see. That you don't want her to be exposed to your alcohol-addled sister interacting with her abusive husband seems like a sensible choice to me. Yes, you made the right decision, and you should stick with it.