DR. WALLACE: I'm 19 and work as a food server in an upscale restaurant. Some weekends I earn over $100 a day in tips. I am very self-sufficient. I still live at home with my mother and grandmother. I love my mother with all my heart and soul and every fiber in my body. She has raised me with dignity. She was an unwed mother and work hard to make a good life for us. She succeeded.
About a year ago, my mother's mother moved in with us because her husband died. She probably nagged the poor man to death. Grandmother is a despicable, vicious human being. Whenever she gets mad at my mother, she calls her names and makes reference to her "child out of wedlock" — me.
She gripes at 75 percent of what my mother does and everything that I do. She doesn't like my hairstyle, the clothes I wear or the boyfriend I date. I told my mom to put her in an old folks home but mother said no.
Ever since this evil woman moved into our home, she has done nothing but stir up trouble. She is doing her best to drive a wedge between mother and me but she will never succeed.
My best friend told me she's moving out of her house and wants me to share an apartment with her. She says it would be fun and that way we could buy her own furniture at thrift stores and garage sales. I'm really at my wits end. I want to move away from grandmother, but I would be concerned for my mother living by herself with that old battle-axe. Your advice would be appreciated. —Nameless, St. Paul, Minn.
NAMELESS: Move in with your girlfriend. You're already financially independent; now it's time to establish a measure of emotional independence as well. Your mother will be able to take care of herself.
Before you leave, be sure to let mom know that you will call her often and stop by to see her on a regular basis. Let her know, of course, that she's always welcome at your place. And make sure you have mom's blessing to return home if complications arise in your new living arrangement.
Your grandmother's behavior is shocking — indeed, almost unfathomable. Seldom do I hear about a grandparent who is so bitter and mean-spirited toward a grandchild. She definitely ought to find a living arrangement where she can't do so much harm.
POPCORN IS HEALTHY FOOD
DR. WALLACE: I am a health-food nut. I only eat healthy, nutritious foods. Today in health class, a guest dietitian made the comment that popcorn is a junk food and should be avoided. I eat a lot of popcorn because I enjoy the taste and I thought it was good for you. What gives? —Jessica, Springfield, Mass.
JESSICA: Popcorn that is buttered, salted and popped in oil definitely falls in the category of junk food. But popcorn that is air-popped, unbuttered and unsalted is fine. It's high in fiber and low in calories. One cup of popcorn contains only 26 calories and only 3 percent comes from fat.
Dr. Robert Wallace welcomes questions from readers. Although he is unable to reply to all of them individually, he will answer as many as possible in this column. E-mail him at [email protected]. To find out more about Dr. Robert Wallace and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.
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