Mom Working Swing Shift Is Pressured to Stay on the Job

siouxcityjournal.com FEATURES Friday, December 18, 2020 | D5

DOONESBURY THE FAMILY CIRCUS PEOPLE

Virginia housing Birthdays community where H.H. MUNRO AKA SAKI (1870- Pharrell lived to be sold 1916), author TY COBB (1886-1961), baseball ‌VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (AP) — A player real estate developer is looking to buy and renovate the Virginia Beach ROBERT MOSES (1888-1981), ur- housing community where singer ban planner Pharrell Williams lived as a child. BETTY GRABLE (1916-1973), ac- Atlantis Preservation LP, an en- tress tity of the New York-based company Fairstead, has its eyes on the Atlan- OSSIE DAVIS (1917-2005), actor tis Apartments complex, a sprawl- KEITH RICHARDS (1943- ), musi- ing subsidized-housing community cian of 19 buildings with more than 200 apartments. That’s where the Gram- STEVEN SPIELBERG (1946- ), my-winning singer, songwriter and director producer lived until he was 7. RAY LIOTTA (1954- ), actor It made such an impression on him that Williams was said to have been BRAD PITT (1963- ), actor co-producing a movie musical in- STEVE AUSTIN (1964- ), wrestler/ spired by his childhood there called actor “Atlantis.” He still occasionally vis- BABY BLUES its residents, The Virginian-Pilot DMX (1970- ), rapper/actor reported, and has sent turkeys to be KATIE HOLMES (1978- ), actress delivered there at Thanksgiving. The housing community, which CHRISTINA AGUILERA (1980- ), was built in 1970, is currently owned singer by a real estate firm based in New Jer- BILLIE EILISH (2001- ), sing- sey. The sale to the other firm is ex- er-songwriter. pected to close in the spring and the planned renovations will cost nearly $15 million.

BEETLE BAILEY Mom working swing shift is pressured to stay on the job

EAR ABBY: My hubby and I but I don’t think you should lie to come from very different back- him. Repeat that the shift you are D‌ grounds. He grew up in a com- working is taking a toll on your munity where all the moms had to HEALTH and that antidepressants work. I grew up in one where most of aren’t a cure for what’s ailing you. the moms did not. Our marriage was A husband is not supposed to be a perfect until we had a baby. dictator. As long as the two of you can After our first child was born, my make it financially, you should be able hubby made clear that it was unac- to set your own hours. Inform your FOR BETTER OR WORSE ceptable for me to leave my career doctor about everything you have or reduce my working hours. I never told me and get off the medication. As realized I would have the desire to be much as you love your husband, you a stay-at-home mom or work part- are not a “mule.” If you continue on time until I became a mom. the path you’re on, you will weaken For the last several your immune system and risk becom- years, I have chosen to ing seriously ill. How will you parent work swing shifts so your children (or work) then? I can be available for DEAR ABBY: For the past five my children during the years, I have been dealing with my mornings. But this has aunt, who is convinced that the taken such a toll on my neighbors are coming into her apart- DEAR ABBY health that I have had ment, hacking her phone, her refrig- to get antidepressant erator, threatening her, cooking in her prescriptions to cope kitchen and constantly talking about FRANK AND ERNEST with juggling all of this. her. Everyone has tried reasoning Recently, I told my husband I with her, but she insists she’s OK and would like to work an earlier shift nothing is wrong with her. so my health can improve. Again he She has fixated on these neighbors insists this is unacceptable because ever since she had a run-in with them of the reduced pay I’d receive plus the years ago. They don’t even live there high cost of child care. anymore, but she says they do. I’m He’s a wonderful father to the trying to be kind, patient and under- children, and aside from this sole standing with her, but she is making issue, we have no other problems. me nuts. Please help. — ALARMED He makes me feel like a work mule, IN INDIANA though, always trying to squeeze DEAR ALARMED: I’ll try. Your every last dollar out of me I can earn. aunt’s irrational behavior should be I don’t want a divorce. I do love him. reported to her physician, if she has GARFIELD I’m considering telling him my job one, so she can be evaluated. None of is requiring me to switch shift times, what you have described about her which isn’t true. Is it ever appropri- behavior is rational or normal. She ate and acceptable to be dishonest needs a physical and neurological ex- to your spouse? — WORK MULE amination by a medical professional MAMA who can guide you in how to handle DEAR MAMA: Your husband’s this because it isn’t going to get better priorities appear to be out of whack, on its own.

HOROSCOPES

‌FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2020 you can handle. Make sure you un- Pick up the pace and strive to turn derstand what’s required before MALLARD FILLMORE this year into something special. Fo- you begin a project. Ask questions cus on your health, well-being and to avoid being put in an awkward stature. Evaluate the past and find a position. way to make your dreams come true. GEMINI (May 21-June 20) — You’ll have the discipline to achieve Someone will let you down if you things you never thought possible. believe everything you hear. Show Trust and believe in yourself. compassion, but don’t take on SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. troubles that don’t belong to you. 21) — Put your plans in motion. Focus on what you want and how You’ll have what it takes to win fa- best to achieve your goals. vors and persuade others to invest in CANCER (June 21-July 22) — your ideas. Love and romance are en- Pay more attention to learning, couraged, and a promise will change advancement and personal growth. your life. Look for opportunities, and don’t CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) hesitate when something good PEANUTS — Align yourself with people who comes along. Broaden your hori- share your work ethic, and strive to zons and do your best to manage reach a common goal. Set up a space stress. at home that caters to health, fitness, LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) — Focus personal growth and advancement. on exercising, finishing a project or AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — making plans with someone spe- Stop worrying about what others are cial. An energetic approach will lead doing. Your approach to a project will to positive changes. Romance and be crucial. Take physical action and kind gestures will lead to happiness. get things done. Concrete results will VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — impress someone you want on your Someone close to you will withhold team. information that can affect a deci- PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) — sion you are trying to make. Look Don’t trust a peer who is competing for expert advice to avoid being ZITS with you. Be secretive about your in- manipulated. Proceed with caution. tentions, and don’t share your ideas LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) — until you are ready to present what Look at the choices you have and you have to offer. Don’t make any weigh the pros and cons carefully. rash moves. Don’t feel that you must act in ARIES (March 21-April 19) — haste. Time spent with a loved one You are heading into an upswing that will ease stress. can change your life forever. Whether SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) — you decide to learn something new, Slow down, take a deep breath and change your job or better your life- rethink your plans. A creative outlet style, the results will be terrific. will open your mind to options you TAURUS (April 20-May 20) — haven’t considered. Avoid making Be careful not to take on more than a change merely for change’s sake.