Dear Jo: 2/16/2022

Dear Jo,

I have a 7-year old daughter, Bea. We live two houses over from her best friend, Stacey. The two girls go to school together and stay over at each other’s houses. Stacy’s parents recently got a pet fox. I wasn’t worried at first, but now I’m not so sure. The fox isn’t violent or anything, but almost every time she comes back from their house, Bea tells some hilarious, giggling story about how the fox stole food, or the TV remote, or something else, and ran around the house holding it in his mouth or trying to bury it somewhere. Last evening at dinner, Bea tried to steal some fries from my plate and tried to pass it off as a silly joke. I’m worried about the lessons she’s picking up from this animal and am considering not letting her go over to Stacey’s house anymore. This animal is teaching her bad lessons!! Do you think I’m overreacting?

Signed,

Possibly Overreacting

Dear Overreacting,

Um, you MAY be overreacting that your daughter is emulating the behavior of a fox. Unless she begins to bury your fries under sofa cushions, “mark” her territory, or yip annoyingly, I think you are good.

Signed, Jo

Dear Jo,

I am so confused! I see messages everywhere like “listen to your body if you need rest, take it”, or “taking time for yourself is the best thing you can do”. How about this one? “Taking time to rest helps both your mind and body.” Well, I tried it, really. Do you want to know what happened?! My house is a disaster, I have no clean underwear left, my husband has turned his t-shirts inside out to show the “clean” side, and my backyard is a dog poop minefield. I WAS relaxed for about one day until I looked around. Am I doing this wrong?

Signed,

Just trying to relax

Dear Just trying,

Who else lives there? While your husband is turning his t-shirts inside out, can he do a load of laundry? Underwear is overrated, go without, it’s freeing. As for the poop minefield, go ninja and tiptoe when needed. Stay on course, take care of yourself, the rest will fall into place.

Signed,

Jo