Dear Advice,
Last year, my daughter married a wonderful man, “Jeff.” The problem is Jeff’s mother, “Lynn,” who is insufferable. At the wedding, she got plastered and made a move on my husband—not just a flirt—she came up behind him, grabbed his ass, and told him she could satisfy him way better than I could. I lost my temper and punched her. She wasn’t seriously hurt, but since then, my daughter and son-in-law refuse to have us in the same room.
Normally, we’d all gather for the holidays. This year, they’ve decided to spend Thanksgiving and Christmas with Lynn and her husband, alternating with us in future years. I’d be willing—reluctantly—to give Lynn another chance, as long as she’s sober and keeps her hands off my husband, but my daughter won’t budge. How can I persuade them to extend me a little grace? I truly don’t feel I was in the wrong!
—She Won’t Be Home for the Holidays