As a Gen Xer, the showers—bridal or baby—of my adolescence and early adulthood were little affairs thrown by family, or friends, or coworkers. A person might get multiple showers if those groups didn’t overlap, but each gathering was quite small. There might be a few sweets or finger foods, usually a cake, and gifts on […] More
There’s a baby shower thrown by the husband’s family, a resentful in-law, and an expectant wife who is experiencing physical setbacks. What could go wrong? Everything, it seems. A couple who is expecting their first child received an icy reception from a family member who brought the energy down at their baby shower. When the […] More
When several major life events overlap, scheduling can be a nightmare. Everyone can’t be everywhere, all at once. Unless you’re Michelle Yeoh, of course. Sometimes, people just have to send a gift along instead of attending in person. Decisions to attend or not attend important events can stir up much drama. Feelings can get hurt, […] More
In many families, one person is chosen as the preferred host for family events. Maybe they’re the best at cooking, baking, or entertaining. Maybe they have the best space for large gatherings. Maybe it’s both. The family designated party planner may enjoy hosting their relatives. But courtesy and appreciation still go a long way. A […] More
We can all admit that big milestone moments are fun to share and celebrate with our loved ones. But it’s also important to remember that there’s room for everyone’s big moments, pointed out the users in the “Am I the A**hole?” (AITAH) subReddit. Redditor LongMaintenance910 was excited to marry her fiancé and had been anticipating sharing […] More
*The following article contains discussion of suicide/self-harm. A lot is written about the stages of grief, but not a definitive timeline. Partly because people grieve differently. What or who they’re grieving also makes a big difference. Was the loss expected? Was it a shock? A grieving woman turned to the “Am I The A**hole” (AITA) […] More
Family is meant to be a built-in foundation of love and support. But human beings don’t always mesh the way they were meant to. And this issue can fester and lead to a lot of emotional trauma. Redditor Alternative-Rest3831 wanted to discuss her experience and get some feedback. So naturally, she came to visit the […] More
Parents looking forward to starting or expanding their family have plenty to look forward to. A tradition most parents are excited about is throwing parties, including gender reveal and baby showers. One mom-to-be who struggled with conceiving came into some good news, but things soured quickly during a recent development. As a result of the […] More
For people who want to have children, infertility is a heartbreaking struggle with grief. Their loved ones want to be supportive. But as with all types of grieving, other people’s lives can’t stop. With the grief of infertility, this often means watching friends and family get pregnant and give birth. A woman whose sister-in-law is […] More
Pregnancy can be a wonderful time for parents. But it can also be stressful because of how a lot of society views pregnant people. Unsolicited advice and unwanted touching are major issues many cite. What’s up with putting your hands on a person’s abdomen without their consent? A mom-to-be frustrated with a friend’s advice about […] More
Family relationships after divorce can be complicated. But sometimes parents and stepparents can do all the right things and still not have a good relationship with their child. A stepmother with a poor relationship with their stepdaughter turned to the “Am I The A**hole” (AITA) subReddit for feedback. Otherwise-Love-6687 asked: “WIBTA for canceling the baby […] More
Certain events dictate specific attire. Generally event invitations or the hosts will provide an idea of expectations, like casual, business casual, semi-formal or formal attire. Then there are rules of etiquette that depend on individual cultures. For example, in the United States, black or dark blue are customary for funerals. Only the bride should wear […] More
