Ms. Meniscus
The Sick Mother
My mother's nursing home does not feel she needs a doctor to check in on her. On the phone, my mother tells me she is certain something is wrong. What do I do? -- Jennifer in Jasper
Dear Jennifer,
We are all our own fiercest advocates -- for ourselves and loved ones. Do not hesitate to jump in the fray and work for better care for your mother.
Call the nursing home. Call area doctors. Talk to your own doctor for advice. You do not have to settle for anything less than the best care possible for your mother.
If nothing progresses, consider traveling to where your mother is to track down these people in person and talk to them. Or consider moving your mother closer to you to make in-person meetings easier.
Remember that your mother did exactly that for you during the first decades of your life. No one should hesitate returning the favor.
-- M
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The New Co-Worker
I was promised that I'd be the only trainer in my club. Now another woman is being brought on board. I'm so angry I could quit. What do I do? -- Perturbed Patty
Dear Patty,
Your frustration is understandable, especially if someone new is being brought on board in lieu of you receiving a deserved raise. As hard as it is, you must relax, and figure out how to use these new circumstances to your advantage.
Pool your resources together with the new woman to ensure more clients for you both.
Split the load of undesirable tasks laid upon the trainers.
And stick up for yourself -- don't do anything you don't feel comfortable doing (like giving up clients you've already begun training).
-- M
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The Ungrateful Children
My husband and I have always believed in an allowance for our children -- we didn't want them to be distracted from school by jobs. But now that they're college students, all they want to do is spend our money like crazy. Why do they do this? -- Betty in Birmingham
Dear Betty,
You are reaping what you sowed, my dear. Your children have no respect for or regard of money because you've never taught them to -- they actually think it magically grows on trees. And as they've grown, so has their appetite for material possessions.
Stop giving them money to spend! And make them figure out how to pay their bills (yes, children, this means acquiring a job and holding onto it, whilst attending school at the same time).
-- M
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