Carolyn Hax: Pull up your big-boy pants, Grandpa, and go to a 3-year-old’s party

Pull up your big-boy pants, Grandpa, and go to a 3-year-old's party

Adapted from a recent online
discussion.

Dear Carolyn: My dad is mad that I'm having my daughter's birthday party at my mom's house even though we're currently living with her to save money for a down payment. My parents divorced when I was about 10 and things between my parents were bitter for years after. These days they are usually okay and even exchange small talk about the grandchildren at family events. After the divorce my dad ghosted us for years, so my sisters and I are not as close to him as we are to our mom or even our stepdad, but now that we're in contact again we're all trying to make up for lost time.

My daughter is turning 3, and we just want a low-key, inexpensive party. Mom's home has a big open-plan kitchen/dining area that seems perfect. We're only inviting family, and my nieces and nephews are all pretty young, so this seems best for them, too.