I’m stuck in a tricky situation right now. I need help sorting out a mess that has turned my family upside down. See, I had been looking forward to my 50th birthday like a kid waiting for Christmas. This celebration was going to be legendary. I wanted it to be a memorable event that my friends and family would talk about for years. Imagine it like a sweet sixteen, but with fifty years of dreams and expectations packed in. I had been saving up ideas and money for this birthday

The ability to have our relatives watch our kids while we work is a huge benefit, especially if there is no cost involved. But given all the arguments we’ve had with our parents, is it reasonable to demand this assistance from them? Since turning eighteen, my daughter Amy has shown no interest in me. She didn’t extend an invitation to me for any significant life events, such as her engagement or graduation. We don’t talk much because of this. She recently contacted me. She has two boys now. We discussed