DEAR ABBY: My grandson is 16, a good student, a great athlete and popular. We are very proud of him. The problem is, he has terrible acne and picks at his face constantly.
His mother, my daughter-in-law, is a nurse practitioner and a germaphobe. I'm constantly surprised that she doesn't take him to a dermatologist and remind him to keep his hands away from the sores on his face. I know it isn't my place to correct him or suggest a dermatologist. She certainly is aware that he has a problem, but she acts like it doesn't bother her.
While I realize this is a stage many teenagers go through and it will pass, his constant picking keeps his face red and looking irritated. Is there anything I can say or do to help without intruding in their space? -- CARING GRANDMA IN TEXAS
DEAR GRANDMA: Yes. Your grandson would not be picking at the pimples if they didn't bother him. Point out to your daughter-in-law that while your grandson's acne may be "just a phase," there are things that can be done to clear it up, and the solution is to consult a dermatologist before he gives himself scars that may last a lifetime. This would not be intruding. It would be acting like the loving, caring grandparent that you are.