Dear Queenie,
My father-in-law likes to pick up my son and drive him around to the sports games his cousins are playing in, or just to run errands. I like having my son spend time with his grandfather, but not when they are driving around, because my father-in-law has been in several traffic accidents. I know they were just what you call “fender-benders,” but most of them were his fault.
I told him I like having my son spend time with him, but not when they are driving around because I’m afraid someone might get hurt. Even if it’s not my son, I don’t want him involved in anything like that. When I told him that, my father-in-law got mad and said if I don’t trust him to take good care of my son he won’t spend time with him.
Queenie, what more can I do?—Worried mother
Dear Mother,
Your husband should make it clear to his father that the child’s safety comes first. He should also see to it that his father has a complete medical check-up, because his traffic accidents may be connected to a physical problem such as poor eyesight or dizzy spells.
Are you sure your father-in-law has a valid driver’s licence? If it is up for renewal any time soon, a medical problem like that should prevent it from being renewed.
