Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/267007
5B Wednesday, February 26, 2014 – Daily News DILBERT Scott Adams PEARLS BEFORE SWINE Stephan Pastis PICKLES Brian Crane BABY BLUES Jerry Scott & Rick Kirkman GET FUZZY Darby Conley ZITS Jerry Scott & Jim Borgman SHERMAN'S LAGOON Jim Toomey ARGYLE SWEATER Scott Hilburn BIZARRO Dan Piraro DEAR CAROLYN » My wife and I welcomed our first child in January. Before our daughter was born, my wife told our family mem- bers that we didn't want overnight visitors while I took time off work, which was two weeks. Her mom lost it and told her she "felt no joy any- more" about the birth and "never had any rules put on me before." Our daughter is three weeks old now and my wife's mother has neither met her nor shown any interest in supporting my wife after a pretty difficult C-section. I believe she has irrepa- rably damaged relation- ships and shown extreme disrespect to our family and new daughter. What should I do in an attempt to remedy this situation? — Confused & Angry DEAR CONFUSED & ANGRY » Certainly there's room for disagreement on the wisdom of your no-over- nights request — I for one applaud it as a way for you two to gain confidence as parents — but there are a couple of things that don't leave much room for quibbling: (1) New parents get to make calls like this. Your baby, your comfort zone, your home, your rules. (2) Her refusing to see the baby means this has nothing to do with your mother-in-law's "joy" or desire to be close to her daughter or the baby. Instead, your mother-in- law has revealed with her boycott that it's about her need for primacy, atten- tion, control. (3) Anyone who wel- comes a new grandchild into the world by calling attention to herself and creating stress for the new parents has bigger problems than whatever the specific issue might be. Had you and your wife welcomed overnights, your mother-in-law would have picked some other fight. Your wife needs you right now. She's got wacky postpartum hormones; a body that's been through the wringer; and a plain view of some ugliness in her mother's character that may or may not have been exposed before. Your wife needs to hear from you that you have her back. That you're sorry her mom is pulling this stunt now. That her mom will either come around or miss out on these irre- placeable days, but either way it's her mom's prob- lem. Your little family need not divert attention away from each other to coddle a grown woman who ought to know better. Don't confront your wife's mother or attempt to negotiate with her. In- stead just leave voice mails (or emails) as if she had taken your decision like a grown-up: "If you'd like to stop by tomorrow noonish, let us know," (click). "Good news from the pediatrician today, all's well," (click). Such insistent warmth will either offer her a face-sav- ing return or force her to keep renewing her choice to fume. Last thing: sleep. Your wife needs it. You, too, but you've had only one emotional earthquake and she's had two. Congrats on the first one, at least. Grandma's bent out of shape over new parents' request Carolyn Hax Ask Carolyn Email Carolyn Hax at tellme@washpost.com, follow her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ carolyn.hax or chat with her online at noon Eastern time each Friday at www.washingtonpost.com. Sudoku Instructions: The object is to place the numbers 1 to 9 in the empty squares so that each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the number only once. Answer to Previous Puzzle Celebrity Cipher By Luis Campos Instructions: Celebrity Cipher cryptograms are created from quotations by famous people, past and present. Each letter in the cipher stands for another. NEA Crossword Pisces (Feb. 20-March 20) — Be businesslike in your deal- ings. Someone may be overly interested in your personal life. Keep them guessing about your private matters, and be careful not to reveal too much. Aries (March 21-April 19) — Someone may not be forthright regarding a touchy situation. If you wait until the last minute, you risk becoming overwhelmed by the issues at hand. Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Make plans to have fun with friends, or arrange an outing with your lover. Deal with your responsibilities in advance. Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Your clever ideas will lead to a moneymaking venture. Deter- mine exactly what you want to achieve and then work hard. Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Review paperwork and financial records. Make changes to improve your savings and investments. Reward yourself by spending a romantic evening with someone you love. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — You are in a romantic mood today. Don't get carried away and offer untrue or frivolous declarations of your feelings. Your relationship will only be strengthened by your honesty and devotion. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — It's time for a little pampering. You may decide to lift your spir- its by getting together with your special someone, or perhaps even treating yourself to a new look or outfit. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) — It is not necessary to seek ap- proval from others. You can gain a new perspective by exploring new locations or experiences for yourself. Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) — Trying to please others will only cause you frustration. Although people may have your best interests at heart, focusing on your own goals will keep you on the sure path to success. Sagittarius (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) — With determination and self-discipline, one of your many hobbies could prove profitable. A close look at your various interests may reveal the oppor- tunity for financial gain that you have been seeking. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Following your intuition will lead to inspiration. However, persistence, determination and dedication will be the necessary ingredients for positive results. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Make the effort to expand your knowledge and insights by joining a club, class or other ac- tivity that is interesting to you. New circumstances will also provide new friendships. Horoscope By Bernice Bede Osol WEDNESDAY, FEB. 26