Dear Queenie,
My oldest son’s wife dresses like a prostitute. If it doesn’t bother her husband, my son, I wouldn’t care how she dresses, except when she comes to visit us and she is dressed that way in front of our younger sons who are still teenagers and younger.
I don’t want to make trouble by saying anything to her about her taste in clothes but I sure wish she would dress better in front of my husband and me and our younger sons.
Queenie, what is your advice?—Offended
Dear Offended,
Does your daughter-in-law’s way of dressing bother your husband as much as it bothers you, or is he too busy enjoying the view and that is part of what bothers you?
Ask your son to explain to his wife that her style of clothing embarrasses his old-fuddy-duddy mother and to ask her to dress more conservatively when they come to visit you.
As for your younger sons, I have no doubt they have seen the same elsewhere, in public. Do not criticise your daughter-in-law, but when the opportunity arises in conversation explain to them that you do not agree with such a manner of dress, and why.
