Ask the Coach
Bathrooms and kids Hey, Coach! I was at the beach changing in a bathroom, and a woman brought her boy in there with her. Maybe I’m old fashioned, but I was uncomfortable with this. Is this inappropriate, or is it just me?
Signed….Cover All
Dear Cover All: Without knowing the boy’s age, it is difficult to pinpoint an answer. If the boy was two, perhaps most would not even think anything of it. If the boy was five or six, perhaps most may then feel differently, and the Coach would agree that this may be a little too old. With that said, respectfully, many times moms are trying their best under very trying circumstances, and it sounds like this mother may have had her hands full on this day with no help. Maybe she didn’t want to let her son out of her sight, and who could blame her in this day and age? Although you may have been “put out” for a minute or two, respectfully, you had the option of waiting and changing after the boy had left. To conclude, the Coach encourages you to try to find the bright side of this. This boy was not your neighbor and someone that you would have to see for many years to come. This was someone that you will probably never see again, and thus, hopefully you can let this go out with the tide.
Loaning clothes
Hey, Coach! My best friend asked to borrow some of my clothes, and she hasn’t given them back yet. We have been trading clothes since middle school, and I don’t understand why she is doing this. I have asked her many times, and she just keeps making excuses and blowing me off. I was thinking about telling her mom, but I know that will get her into big trouble, and I don’t want that to happen. We did have a disagreement a couple of weeks ago before this happened, but we worked that out, so I don’t think that has anything to do with this. What do you think I should do?
Signed……Best Buds
Dear Best Buds: This is not how best friends act. Something is amiss here, and perhaps there is more than meets the eye than this just being about clothes. With that said, if you haven’t already, why not casually stop by your best friend’s house to retrieve your things? At first, just make small talk and don’t even mention the clothes. Then, as you prepare to leave, ask to get your things. If there is resistance, then it’s definitely time for a private sit-down discussion with honest, open and direct two-way communication. Grasping at straws, perhaps something was torn or stained, and she is afraid to tell you. If so, assure her that everything will be OK, and you are commended for leaving her mother out of this, although many would not have taken that route.
Good luck!
All banged up
Phil Michael had an in-home accident about ten days ago and broke his shoulder blade in several places. Having had a similar experience playing hoops back in grad school, the Coach understands that this can sometimes be very painful, which is evident in this case. Since this happened, the Biggest Winner has been unable to do much of anything but take it easy.
Thus, he knows that he absolutely must pay particular attention to his nutritional habits while he is unable to bounce around and engage in his usual cardio activities. Perhaps the BW will be able to get in the pool or get on an elliptical; both of which have very little impact.
Hang in there, Biggest Winner.
Coach’s Comments: Have you ever wondered why someone doesn’t do something about that? If so, remember that you can always be that someone.
Be safe, and thanks for making the Coach a part of your Sunday.
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You can contact the Coach at askthecoach2003@yahoo.com.