She and dad bond over baseball, but sister calls it unfair Dear Carolyn: My dad loves baseball. He introduced it to his three daughters early on, but only I took an interest — following our team, tracking players’ stats — and while he brought us all to see a couple of games a season from the bleachers, only I really enjoyed it. I’ve slowed down work, so for the last couple of seasons, I’ve been able to take Dad to several games. I’ll look at the weather and my schedule, call Dad up and ask, “Game?” and he responds, “I’m always game.” My younger sister and I have always had tension. The latest is that she says it is unfair I get to spend so much time with Dad. That it isn’t her fault she doesn’t like baseball. Then, she complains that I buy him too much junk food. The man likes peanuts, hot dogs and a beer at each game. He’s 82 and can have whatever the heck he wants. She says she’s worried it is too hot or too far to walk. On and on. Our father isn’t an easy man to find a connection with so I empathize with her, but clearly it isn’t enough. It seems she’d be happy if we stopped going. We won’t, but is there anything I can say to her other than just hang up the phone, which I know will escalate things? — Time With Dad Carolyn’s been writing her advice column for two decades. Explore the archives below. |
