DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: We live in the countryside. My neighbors, who are my boyfriend’s son and daughter-in-law, have a 2-year-old boy who is allowed to go about naked.

I am fairly OK with this at their home, but they often bring him over to our home like that. It's not all that appetizing when they are here for dinner. 

I seem to be the only one that this offends. I am of the opinion that the child should wear clothing when away from home. I am sure this situation will solve itself in time and when the weather cools. 

My boyfriend overheard me talking about this while I was on the phone with a friend and became indignant, saying he’s just a baby, and, “What’s the big deal?”

I was just asking her what she thought about this. What are your thoughts on the matter? --- PUT SOME CLOTHES ON

DEAR PUT SOME CLOTHES ON: My first thought is that your boyfriend’s family sees your house as an extension of their own, and may have no clue that you’re offended by their young son’s nudity. However, it’s your home too, and if you would like to make a house rule about guests having at least a pair of pants on, then you should work on that with your boyfriend.

My next thought is about potty training. There is a “bare bottom” method, but if the child isn’t in the process of getting trained, what happens when he has to go? Accidents do happen, and it’s certainly a talking point to consider raising with at least your boyfriend.

DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: My fiancé and I just bought a house and now we have our own home and a yard, I want to get a puppy, but he thinks it’s too soon and that we’re not home enough to be fair to a new pet. I keep hearing about doggie daycare places not far from here where we could leave a new dog to socialize with other dogs on days when we are going to be out of the house for longer than usual hours.

I think it would be a good experience for us to have a dog. Am I being selfish, like my fiancé seems to think I am? --- WANT A PUPPY TO LOVE

DEAR WANT A PUPPY TO LOVE: If you just moved into a new place, and you have jobs that mean you’ll be out of the house for long periods, getting a high-energy, high-maintenance pet ─ which pretty much sums up puppies ─ may not be the best thing to do at this time in your lives.

If you are set on getting a dog, consider one beyond puppyhood, preferably housebroken and past the more demanding phases that come with the first year or two of most dogs’ lives. Shelters are often full of adult dogs who need a loving home they’re mature enough not to destroy. But keep in mind that every pet needs and deserves time, love, and care, no matter how young or old they are.

DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: My son just graduated college and received some cash from our family. His grandparents were very generous, and both sets gave him large gifts. We didn’t give him money, but said we would help him out with a car so he can get to his new job. We figured he would get something modest, but instead he purchased what I consider much more car than he needs, and can ultimately afford. We co-signed on the loan so he could get a better rate than he would have gotten on his own, but now I am thinking we just enabled him to go further into debt. The insurance and loan payments are what it takes him almost two weeks to make at work, and now he and his buddies are hot to get a place of their own, split four ways.

I just worry my son is going to overextend himself and get into trouble. Was I wrong to help him out with the loan? --- ACCIDENTAL ENABLER

DEAR ACCIDENTAL ENABLER: The time to prevent his overbuying has come and gone. Your heart was in the right place, but you might have had some peace of mind steering him toward a more practical purchase. Keep in mind, though, there are also positive ways to enable.

Share some suggestions on how he can economize and budget. Then, step back and let him learn from his mistakes and his successes. It’s up to him to claim them both.