Dear Abby: Im texting my sister but its her daughter thats responding

DEAR ABBY: I text my older sister often.Last month, I sent her a long message consisting of information and chitchat.

To my surprise, it was not answered by her, but by her daughter (who I am not fond of).My message was not meant for her daughter, and although the information it contained was not critical or embarrassing, I am offended that my text was intercepted (and answered) by someone other than the intended recipient.Am I wrong here? The entire situation has now been blown way out of proportion and we are no longer speaking.

Please advise.— PRIVATE BROTHER IN FLORIDADEAR BROTHER: I find it odd that your niece would answer her mother’s text unless she was asked to do it.

Did your sister take offense because she felt her daughter needed defending? Your next step should be to get your sister on the phone so you can talk this through.Apologize if you “may have overreacted,” but consider what happened to be a warning that when you text, email or call your sister, it won’t necessarily be kept between the two of you.

Private communications may have to be face-to-face.DEAR ABBY: My husband and I have different approaches to holiday gift-giving.I like to pick up nice things that I find throughout the year, with only a loose idea of who they might go to.

Then I sit down in December and sort out who might like what and wrap the things accordingly.He finds this process abhorrent and insists that the only reasonable way to choose gifts is to shop with the specific person in mind, preferably close to the time the gift is given.The problem is, he does none of the work of actually finding those thoughtfully chosen and tailored gifts for anyone in our family.

The job is left to me, and I have neither the time nor the patience to shop the way he wants me to.Do you agree with him that I’m being thoughtless, or is it OK that I buy ahead of time as long as everyone has something fitting? — NOT MERRY IN THE MIDWESTDEAR NOT MERRY: No, I do not agree with your hu...