Dear Diane,
My father is 85 and unable to leave his house without requiring extensive effort to accommodate his wheelchair and health challenges. As much as my wife and I enjoys taking him out to eat, we’ve noticed that by the time we arrive at our destination, he is often tired and ready to return home shortly after we have been seated for our meal. This year, my son invited us to visit his family, in another state, for Father’s Day. I am torn between leaving my own father and visiting my son and grandchildren. What is the right thing to do?
Max D.
Dear Max,
I suggest you do both. As an alternative to venturing out for lunch, bring over a variety of your dad’s favorite foods to share in the comfort of his home. Spend quality time with your dad doing something he looks forward to, such as playing cards or sitting outside talking. Perhaps take a short drive or rent a movie to watch together. Ask your dad what he would most enjoy doing and then make it happen. Celebrate Father’s Day with him earlier in the week, and explain that you are going to visit your son over Father’s Day weekend. I am sure your dad will not only understand but encourage you to book your flight and take advantage of the rare opportunity to see your son and his family.
Best of luck,
Diane
You may also like Father’s Day Beyond the Tie: 7 Ways to Make Dad’s Day. For more of Diane’s etiquette tips read her posts on Inc., subscribe to her articles on HuffPost, “like” The Protocol School of Texas on Facebook, and follow her on Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter. Buy her new book, Modern Etiquette for a Better Life.
