DEAR ABBY: Several times now, my mother-in-law has given me cleaning supplies as gifts. I'm trying to decide how to interpret the gesture.
Is she hinting that she thinks our house is poorly kept? Is it that she enjoys buying new cleaning supplies and would also like to receive them as gifts? Or could it be a passive-aggressive dig at my decision to work full-time when she thinks I should be staying home keeping house? My husband and I share domestic responsibilities roughly evenly, and he's never received such gifts. -- MOTHER-IN-LAW GIFTS
DEAR MOTHER-IN-LAW GIFTS: Not knowing your mother-in-law, I can't guess at her motive for choosing the gifts she's giving you. If you want a straight answer to your question, you will have to find the courage to get it straight from the horse's mouth. She may buy in bulk and have supplies to spare.
However, a gift is thoughtful, and these products may come in handy. So be pleasant and appreciative when you thank her for them.