Dear Abby: Man invites grandkids to meteor shower event and amateur astronomer in-law isn’t over the moon – NJ.com
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips.DEAR ABBY: I have been an amateur astronomer for 25-plus years. I always go meteor watching as well as observe any celestial event. This year I invited my brother-in-law and his wife to watch a meteor shower with my husband and me. Since we both have campers, I reserved and paid the deposit for two camping sites at a nice location, close to some of the best night skies. The reservations were made more than a month ago.My sister-in-law, who I dearly love and have been good friends with for more than 20 years, called me yesterday to let me know my BIL had invited three of their preteen granddaughters. Abby, I thought they understood it would be an adult event, as we’ll be up half the night and traveling 30 minutes to get to the dark sky site. I do this every year.I told my SIL that my BIL should’ve asked me first, since I invited them and made all the arrangements for this event. We talked on the phone for 90 minutes before I told her my BIL was wrong for not asking me first if it was OK.Moments after we hung up, she texted me and said to cancel their reservation because they would not be attending. We are driving 90 miles to this campsite. They live 30 minutes from it. Was I wrong to tell her I should’ve been asked first, since I am the hostess for two days and nights? — STARRY-EYED IN THE WESTDEAR STARRY-EYED: Your brother-in-law should not have invited anyone along without clearing it with you first. What they did may have been well-intentioned, but it was also rude. If any of those girls shows an interest in astronomy, in the future, you might choose to invite them for this kind of event. But their presence should not have been sprung on you the way it was.Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, (updated 8/1/2024) and acknowledgement of our Privacy Policy, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (updated 1/1/2025).© 2025 Advance Local Media LLC. All rights reserved (About Us). The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local.Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site.YouTube’s privacy policy is available here and YouTube’s terms of service is available here.Ad Choices
