DEAR ABBY: My parents have been divorced for almost 30 years. My father is still furious with my mother, and she is indifferent toward him.
My son is about to graduate from high school, and both grandparents want to attend the ceremony and dinner afterward. However, Dad refuses to be in proximity, or even sight line, to my mom. He wants me to plan the day so there is no chance they will cross paths — separate cars, separate routes, separate seats, separate photos, separate meals at different restaurants.
My brother did this when his kid graduated, and it was a lot of work. It is silly. They are 75 years old and should be able to sit down the row from each other without throwing a tantrum. I want to hand out tickets to the ceremony and make one dinner reservation, and anyone who wants to come and be civil is welcome.
My son is upset with me because his grandfather is guilt-tripping him about us not “making it possible” for him to be at the graduation. However, my son isn’t willing to take over the logistical strategizing for how my parents can enter and leave the building with no chance of interacting.
Am I right that this is silly? For what it’s worth, Mom doesn’t care one way or the other. — DAUGHTER WITH A DILEMMA