Ask him to join you for regular family play dates. Let him see your tactics in action and maybe pick up some of his own. If he’s reluctant, press the issue! “Honey, these are our kids I’m asking you to spend time with.” He doesn’t sound like a shirker. Let’s hope that a gentle reminder and your good example will put things on track.

Image Credit... Christoph Niemann

Couldn’t You Do That at Home?

My family recently attended the high school graduation of one of our children. My eldest son, who is 20, was in the audience with us. Before the ceremony began, while people were milling around and finding their seats, my son pulled out his deodorant and applied it to both armpits. He’s been doing this for years despite our constant admonition that this is totally weird and gross. But he insists it’s not a big deal, and that no one notices or cares. What more can we do?

ANOTHER MOM

In the words of the country music legend Merle Haggard: “Mama tried.” Mama is also right: Your son’s habit is totally weird and gross. Now that he’s 20, though, it’s unlikely that further words of parental discouragement will help him break this pattern. Instead, it may require the astonished and disgusted looks of his friends and lovers.

Typhoid Shmyphoid

I took part in an intensive language program in India last summer. A classmate was ill for most of the time. She is allergic to a bunch of key Indian ingredients (potatoes, carrots and celery), and at first, it seemed like an allergic reaction or your regular Delhi belly. But her symptoms didn’t improve. She also had mild fevers and fatigue. Still, even though she had a typhoid vaccine and a typhoid test came back negative, she now claims to have had typhoid. I think she’s doing it for the street cred. (She’s studying epidemiology in the fall.) This really bothers me. I know she was suffering, but I also know she didn’t have typhoid. I want to say something because she is misrepresenting her experience, claiming an unwarranted expertise and perpetuating negative stereotypes about India. What should I do?

ANONYMOUS

Back off! The only thing stranger than your friend claiming to have had typhoid if, in fact, she didn’t is your investment in the case (and apparent jealousy of the perks she may reap from her summer of intestinal distress).