DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: I come from a very politically active family. While I’m grateful to my parents for instilling a passion for being involved, I know it bugs them that I don’t align with the same party they do.

Because of their involvement over the years, they were able to secure me a summer internship (COVID permitting) in the office of a friend of theirs who won re-election for her senate seat. It’s a terrific opportunity, but I am conflicted about its being in “the other camp”.

Am I nuts to pass up this chance over political principles? --- IN THE OTHER CAMP

DEAR IN THE OTHER CAMP: Unless you can get a similar opportunity with an elected official in your preferred party, I say why not take the job offered you? Being in the office of a senator could put you in a position to meet a large variety of people on both sides of the aisle. And if you find you’re rubbing elbows with the enemy, you still should be in the way to gain valuable experience, make potentially useful connections, and maybe even broaden your own political horizons.

DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: My father has always been big on making New Year’s resolutions, and I am not.

Every year since I was a kid he’s asked me what I intend to do to make myself or the world better in the year to come. That was a heavy burden on an eight-year-old, and 20 years later, I still hate it.

What do I say to my father to get him to back off on this unwelcome tradition? --- LIKE TO SET MY OWN GOALS

DEAR LIKE TO SET MY OWN GOALS: I guess it might depend on whether your dad is doing this to be controlling or motivating. The latter is kind of sweet; the former not so much.

Either way, it’s probably time to have a calm and frank conversation with your dad to remind him that as an adult, you — and only you — are in charge of setting your own goals, if you even choose to do so.

From Mom: Here’s to a Healthy, More Normal, and Happy New Year for all!

DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: I have been watching my triplet grandchildren two days a week ever since my daughter returned to work from maternity leave. They are 16 months old and two of them have started biting, which none of my kids ever did. Mostly they bite each other, but one will occasionally bite our dog, who thank God, is a sport about it and just gets up and walks away. Still, it worries me. I have spoken to my daughter and my son-in-law, and they say they have seen it happen only one or two times. I don’t doubt them, but it does not help to think I am doing something wrong. Am I? --- CHOMPERS’ GRANDMA

DEAR CHOMPERS’ GRANDMA: I discussed this issue with an experienced early childhood professional I know, and she assured me that this is something she’s encountered from time to time through the years, and that it’s a normal developmental stage for some young children before they develop spoken language skills. They want to be understood, but don’t know how to get their needs or emotions across. She acknowledged this can be a frustrating situation, both for the parents of the biter and those being bit.

Her advice is to immediately, consistently, and firmly say, “No biting,” when you catch the offending toddler in the act. It won’t work overnight, but it usually does the trick.