Dr. Laura
The first and only time I stayed overnight at my wife's parents home I was excited to save money on a hotel. Besides, it was always unheard of to stay at a hotel when you have family. The problem was my allergic reaction was severe to the years of cigarette smoking in their home. So I made it clear to my wife if she stayed overnight it would be without me.
Months later and my wife is pregnant with our first child. I took the dirty looks of her family and her mom fussing and cussing me out. Despite the articles I forwarded to my wife as to the dangers of 3rd hand smoke to our unborn child, she would not stand with me on the matter and informed her parents that I would not allow us to stay overnight there and she didn't agree with my decision.
Our wonderful healthy daughter is now 5 months and I have remained determined. I patched things up with my mother-in-law, who respects the man her daughter married. I look for ways to compromise on most things but never with my child's health or safety.
I applaud you for constantly teaching your audience to put their emotions, nostalgia or whatever else aside and to put their children first. It seems the obvious decision to me, but I have seen people put something as trivial as their feelings above their kids.
Keep up the fine fight and realize you are not alone.
David
