Coaching Information

Home For The Holidays


In my husband's family, family members send Christmas cards to other family members (parents to children, brothers and sisters to one another, etc.) even though the family always spends time together at Christmas for a meal and gift exchange.

My husband and I do not know of any other family that does this. We both always understood Christmas cards were for family members one would not be seeing because they live too far away, or that Christmas cards were sent from one family to another.

We do not send Christmas cards to members of my immediate family we will be seeing. Which way is correct from an etiquette point of view? Or are they both equally correct? Are we breaching his family's tradition by not "cooperating" because we will be seeing them at Christmas?

Anita

Anita, which is correct--opening presents on Christmas Eve or opening presents on Christmas Day? From an etiquette point of view, they are equally correct. The same applies to your card question.

Your husband's family tradition is the less common, but we know people who send cards to family members close at hand. Somerset Maugham said, "Tradition is a guide not a jailer." The same might be said of etiquette, and common sense supersedes them both.

Tamara is not sentimental about cards, but she will give cards to those who especially enjoy receiving them. Because your husband's family enjoys this tradition, consider following it with them and following your own tradition with everyone else. That solves the awkwardness of receiving a card without giving one.

Wayne

In Memory

For over 10 years I diligently cared for my wife, until she died from the complications of multiple sclerosis. During that period we had the help of a nurse who became very much a friend to both of us. I paid for her automobile club membership each year so she could get to our home in her various junk cars.

After my wife died, I stayed in contact with the nurse on a platonic basis, talking on the phone monthly and sharing dinner a few times a year. I also continued to pay the motor club membership in gratitude for all she gave my wife. I felt it was a good and generous thing to do. She gave her all to us.

After a long period of grief, I began to search for a new partner and started a new relationship about six months ago. I mentioned my yearly gift to my girlfriend last week when the bill came, and she became very upset with me for doing this. She described this as unethical and an infraction serious enough to end our relationship.

She knows I have no romantic or sexual contact with this woman and trusts me in that regard, but is astounded I do not see the moral error in what I have been doing. I consider myself someone of high morals. I just don't get it. What principle am I violating? I am not getting answers I can comprehend from my girlfriend. She insists I discuss this with others, who will enlighten me.

Clay

Clay, you are a thoughtful, caring man. You and this nurse share a bond, and in honoring her you also honor the memory of your wife. There is nothing wrong in what you are doing, any more than there is something wrong with giving money to a cause in memory of someone who has passed on.

Your girlfriend cannot tell you exactly what she doesn't like about your gift without revealing her true motives. Your girlfriend wants to break you away from the memory of your wife and the reality of any other woman. Often circumstances arise as a warning sign about other people. If you give in to your girlfriend, you might as well hand over your wallet, your pants, and your life.

Tamara

Direct Answers - Column for the week of December 8, 2003

About The Author

Authors and columnists Wayne and Tamara Mitchell can be reached at www.WayneAndTamara.com.

Send letters to: Direct Answers, PO Box 964, Springfield, MO 65801 or email: DirectAnswers@WayneAndTamara.com.

  


MORE RESOURCES:

National Post

Bulls name coaching staff
National Post, Canada - Jul 3, 2008
The Chicago Bulls named Del Harris, Bernie Bickerstaff and Bob Ociepka assistant coaches Thursday, giving first-year head coach Vinny Del Negro plenty of ...
Veterans round out Del Negro's Bulls staff Chicago Daily Herald
Bulls add Harris, Bickerstaff and Ociepka; keep Myers on coaching ... NBA.com
Rose gets 1st taste of professional life Chicago Sun-Times
Chicago Tribune - Chicago Tribune
all 73 news articles


McGill announces coaching change
RDS, Canada - 7 hours ago
MONTREAL - Stewart McCarthey of Pierrefonds, Que., has been appointed as an assistant coach with the national champion women's varsity hockey team at McGill ...


Boston Globe

John Pont, 80; coached Indiana to 1968 Rose Bowl
Boston Globe, United States - 13 hours ago
NEW YORK - John Pont, the personification of the football-coaching lifer who was best remembered for taking Indiana University to the 1968 Rose Bowl, ...


Swimming coaching course to attract 40
DailyNewsOnline, United Republic of Tanzania - 35 minutes ago
At least 40 participants are expected to take part in the swimming coaching course set to be held in Dar es Salaam from July 14 to 19. ...


New Vision

Lubowa considers retirement from coaching
New Vision, Uganda - 35 minutes ago
By Swalley Kenyi FORMER SC Villa tactician Asuman Lubowa, who was recently relieved of his duties at the club, is mooting retirement from coaching club ...


Real Footy

Coaching Cats stress-free for Thompson
Sydney Morning Herald, Australia - 44 minutes ago
"There wasn't too much to worry about," he said after watching his side dismantle finals aspirant Adelaide by 68 points at AAMI Stadium on Friday night. ...
Craig call for risky business Advertiser Adelaide
all 143 news articles


Men's basketball: Sioux complete coaching staff
Grand Forks Herald, ND - 15 hours ago
He’s been named as a Sioux assistant coach, replacing Chris Johnson who left last week to become head coach at the University of Sioux Falls. ...
UND fills basketball coaching position In-Forum
all 5 news articles


Capomolla courts coaching job
Norwalk Advocate, ct - 14 hours ago
By Dave Ruden STAMFORD - For the past 13 years Marianna Capomolla's autumns have been consumed by volleyball, either as a player or a coach. ...


COACHING POSITIONS
Hartford Courant, United States - 14 hours ago
The following position Vocational Pos: Full-time floating Job Coach needed to work with adults with intellectual disability in vocational/ supported elderly ...


Former players enjoying coaching Bulls
News & Observer, NC - 13 hours ago
Durham Bulls hitting coach Gary Gaetti remembers what then-Boston Red Sox manager Jimy Williams told him when he decided to retire from baseball in 2000: ...

coaching - Google News

Article List | Index | Site Map
All logos, trademarks and articles on this site are property and copyright of their respective owner(s).
The comments are property of their posters, all the rest is Copyright © 2006 CanadaSEEK.com - All Rights Reserved.