Annie’s Mailbox: Too much sex talk at granny’s house

Dear Annie: My husband and I have two children, ages 11 and 8. They enjoy spending time with my mother-in-law. The problem is, my husband’s nephew lives with Granny and brings girls home with him for sex. The latest girlfriend likes to brag about it in front of everyone, including my kids.

We tried letting the kids visit when the nephew was at work, but the girlfriend kept showing up. I don’t want my children learning about sex at Granny’s house. Mom says there’s nothing she can do – her house, her business. Now she has shut us out completely. We no longer see her or talk to her.

Our kids are hurt. What can we do? – Looking for Middle Ground

Dear Looking: First, please be sure that the nephew and his girlfriend are not somehow bullying or abusing Granny. It’s one thing if she simply thinks you should leave her alone and another if she is intimidated and afraid of antagonizing the nephew. You may need to contact Adult Protective Services in your area for help.

Otherwise, perhaps your husband could speak directly to his nephew, without blame or judgment, and say that the kids miss Granny, and his girlfriend’s uninhibited conversation makes it difficult to visit. Enlist his help to remedy the situation for the sake of family harmony. We hope he will ask his girlfriend to put a filter on her mouth when the kids are around and convince his grandmother to open her home.