Dear Diane: ‘Hillbilly Halo’ sparks family feud

Dear Diane: Last week, my daughter “Lou Anne” and her husband, “Brad,” had their first child, an adorable angel they named “Chloe.” She is my first grandchild.

Shortly after Chloe was born, the family was gathered together in Lou Anne’s hospital room. Everyone was talking and taking pictures and passing the baby around. When it was my turn to hold Chloe, I took a cute little headband with ribbon out of my purse and put it on Chloe. When Brad saw this he stormed over, pulled the headband off Chloe’s head and said, “No way. There is no way my daughter is going to wear this tacky thing!”

I was appalled, Diane. He even called the headband a “Hillbilly Halo.”

That headband looked cute on Chloe. I really wanted a picture of the two us with her wearing it, but Brad flushed it down the toilet.

Since that episode, I have tried to buy clothes for Chloe, but Brad gives them back. According to him, I have “white trash” taste, and he refuses to let my granddaughter wear the outfits I buy for her.

What should I do? I want to buy things for my grandchild, but they keep getting thrown back in my face.

— Mad Gran in La Grange

Dear Gran: “Hillbilly Halo.” I’m going to have to write that down.

But seriously, Gran, you and Brad come from different social classes. You will never see eye to eye in matters of taste and fashion. The only way to overcome this obstacle is to speak to your daughter first about Brad’s attitude toward you. He may not approve of your fashion sense, but he doesn’t need to be a horse’s patoot about it.

Then, find out what clothes Brad and Lou Anne prefer for Chloe. Buy those.