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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Pool full of babies bothers resident

Washington Post

Dear Carolyn: Would it be rude to ask my apartment complex for adult-only hours at the pool? My one day off and I’m surrounded by moms with crying babies. Come on, the kid doesn’t want to swim, and he’s probably peed in the pool already! Am I being intolerant? – Maryland

You are, but a lot of those moms, when they get time to themselves, feel the way you do about other people’s crying babies – and of course, at one time, you too wailed and peed with the best of them – so don’t get sucked into an Us vs. Them mentality.

As long as you don’t infringe upon kiddie prime time, arranging adult-only pool hours can actually help build relations, just as fences make good neighbors. There’s nothing more dispiriting to a parent than to have to wrangle a crabby kid while crabby bystanders roll their eyes. Compassion for all is ideal, but if you can’t sympathize, then by all means, compartmentalize.

Dear Carolyn: How do I address a perpetual texter? We often double date. I first noticed that she texted throughout dinner (under the table, as if we didn’t notice!), and afterward at a sporting event she texted till her phone died.

We recently took a road trip with this couple, and she spent 85 percent of it texting – including while she was driving a car full of people at 75 mph. What can I say without an ultimatum? My fear is that she’ll resent me, and always be waiting for me to leave so that she can text. – Over the limit

That’s what you fear? Not oneness with a bridge abutment?

If you can’t just say, “Please join the conversation” or “Pull over, I want out of this death trap,” then I fear for your ability to stand up for yourself. I realize you don’t want to spoil a friendship, but that’s on her thumbs, not your conscience.