DEAR ABBY: My best friend and I are grandmothers. While I enjoy a healthy relationship with my children and grandchildren, the same is not true for her.
Because of issues surrounding her divorce, she's in contact with only one of her three children. All three side with their father. Recently, her pregnant daughter ("Erin," who has mental health issues) told her mom she never wants to see her again and turned her away from the baby shower.
The only way my friend knew Erin had given birth was from social media. No one in the family told her. Although Erin unfriended her mom on Facebook, I still see her posts. Naturally, she shared the news about the new baby.
My question is, should I comment on the news? Erin knows I'm close to her mom. I'm aching to tell her to let her mom back into her life and about the importance of a relationship with grandparents. Should I? Or should I just offer my congratulations and let it be? -- VALUES FAMILY IN THE MIDWEST
DEAR VALUES FAMILY: By all means congratulate Erin on the new baby, but postpone the "lecture" about the importance of grandparents for a separate conversation. Right now, I doubt Erin would appreciate what you have to say. Later, when things calm down in her troubled relationship with her mother, she may be more open to your message.