Annie’s Mailbox: Dreading idea of travel with mom

Dear Annie: Our mother is an awesome person, and we enjoy spending time with her, but it has to be limited. She has to direct everything, and it has to be done her way or not at all. She is very good at couching criticism in small, underhanded comments, and she knows how to push everyone’s buttons.

The problem is, Mom has asked us to take her on a cruise or road trip, and we all know we will be nuts. Is there a way to tell her that while we love her, we don’t want to travel with her? – Avoiding Travel Brochures

Dear Travel: Adult children are not obligated to travel with their parents, and it is OK to say you prefer to keep your vacations separate. But some parents are in the habit of bossing their kids around, and although you are grown and capable of making your own decisions, Mom’s behavior toward you is ingrained. She may not realize how it prevents you from enjoying her company. If you don’t tell her when she does annoying things, she won’t have the opportunity to change. But tell her nicely. With love. And humor, if you can manage it.

Dear Annie: When “My Two Cents’ Worth” suggested that you might want to solicit some male input about women changing their names, you said, “When men are expected to take their wife’s surname upon marriage, we’ll be happy to ask for their input.”

You and I know that will never happen, and that made your response narrow-minded. So, I’m going to give you a dose of your own medicine. As a guy, I will never need advice from a couple of feminists with their noses in the air. – Content

Dear Content: Oh, get over yourself. We’ve printed plenty of opinions from men on this subject, but we don’t believe the decision to change one’s maiden name belongs to those who don’t have to experience it. That would be like letting a woman decide how a man should feel about his erectile dysfunction.