Not All Mothers Are in Their Right Minds 

DEAR MARGO: I am the stepmother to two children whose mother is nuts. This woman acquired a lot of money in her third marriage and is raising these children to worship the dollar. The tween daughters are lavished with Vuitton and Chanel purses. They are taught to befriend only the wealthy kids at their school. The topper is that even though they are under 14, they have been subjected to cosmetic surgeries (one having a nose job, the other fixing a scar that the kid "didn’t like" in an inconspicuous place). Their father and I adamantly opposed these surgeries, as one occurred when the child was 7! The doctor admitted it was unnecessary, but said the mom made the final decision and it "wouldn’t hurt the child." Anytime we discuss beauty being on the inside, the kids respond as though we just don’t want to pay our share and it’s all about the money. Their mother has had several plastic surgeries and in my opinion is addicted. We are never told of these procedures until after they have occurred, and then we receive the bill for half. How do we combat this? How can we get it through to these children that they don’t need to be enhanced? — EXASPERATED

DEAR EX: This is kind of pathetic. Between the designer bags and the plastic surgery, these kids don’t stand a chance of growing up with values that matter. All you can do for the children is keep beating the drum that they are fine as they are and that your values are different from their mother’s. Ironic that Mrs. Got Rocks (in her head) would be ahead of the game if she spent her time and money on a shrink instead of a plastic surgeon, but that is unlikely to happen. There is nothing you can do about her, but you are not without options. Because you didn’t approve these medical expenses, you need not pay half. You might consider going to family court to call a moratorium on cosmetic surgery for minors. You could also file a complaint against the doctor with the medical society. Realistically, resign yourself to doing the best you can with these two little Paris Hiltons. — MARGO, UNENTHUSIASTICALLY

Lost in the Garden of Eden

DEAR MARGO: I was involved in a one-night stand with my pastor. This is a man I have known for a very long time. We agreed to stop because of our positions in the church and the fact that we are both married. I never even had a crush on him, but since he lured me to share the forbidden fruit I find I am lusting for him and wish we could continue. Please tell me how I can deal with this. — BURNING WITH DESIRE

DEAR BURN: Oh, my. Well, one thing we already know is that yours is not the first clergyman to have a fall from grace. Do give him credit, however, for deciding to sin no more. As for how you can deal with this, I would hunt down the appropriate chapters in the Bible having to do with adultery and fidelity. If you find you cannot displace your desire for this man and have trouble believing in talking snakes, consider going to another church and recommitting yourself to the Ten Commandments. — Margo, correctively

Dear Margo is written by Margo Howard, Ann Landers’ daughter. All letters must be sent via e-mail to dearmargo@creators.com. Due to a high volume of e-mail, not all letters will be answered. To read more about Margo Howard, click here.

COPYRIGHT 2009 MARGO HOWARD
DISTRIBUTED BY CREATORS SYNDICATE, INC.

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