Minding my own business; Potty training and candy; Book review

Dear Housewives,

I think I blew it. My mom, daughter and I were on a train next to a family (mom and dad and two teen aged kids).
They 'looked' as though they were proper and upper middle class, but I learned and so did my daughter that outward
appearances can and will trick you. They were passing around Werther Originals-you know the hard candy in the gold wrapper.
Well, the dad had a few in his pocket. During the ride, he unwrapped 4 candies and dropped the wrappers on the floor. We all
saw and after the first time, we were prepared to politely mention that he dropped something. We never did. But in NYC, we
did see a woman leave here fancy apartment, pick up some stray trash and dispose of it down the block on a receptacle.
Should we have meddled in this affair?

To interfere or not to interfere, that is the question

FLORA: We are to mind our own business unless the offense is harmful to another. You could have said "you dropped something" immediately after the first offense. At least your daughter saw the polar opposite when the woman picked up trash that was not even her own. We learn by example, hopefully his children aren't littering the planet the way their father does. I too am irked by litterers. Littering is lazy and inconsiderate.
June?

JUNE: I think it is weird that this person is still thinking of this ridiculous situation. I agree with you that it is better to mind your own business unless it is something big. Littering is annoying and dirty and bad manners but not going to hurt anyone. There is someone that works for the train company that has the job of cleaning up. I would have said, "I think you dropped something" and left it at that. The important thing is to do the right thing and that included minding your own business.

Dear Housewives,

I am potty training my three year old. Should I use candy as an incentive, I don't want to rot his teeth?
Sweet tooth

JUNE: Fear not sweet tooth, your child's teeth will be fine. I have found that a few skittles or M&M's work great as a treat for your child. You can try stickers and little prizes but good old fashioned sugar seems to work best. Just keep brushing.

FLORA: I would not use candy as an incentive. Your child may equate success with food; not good. Good old fashioned praise may work
as well as an super hero underwear shopping spree.

New Years Resolutions

Flora: Dear Readers, I hope that each of you have a healthy and happy 2010. If you have anything you need to work on, now is the time.
Just pick one or two things be it, eating healthier, reading more, seeing friends more often...Make your mind up to do it in 2010.
My commitment in 2010 will be to walk more and to practice patience.

June: Happy New Year to all. Let 's hope that twenty-ten will bring a healthy, safe and prosperous year to all of us.

Book/Movie Review

Flora: A book came highly recommended that I must share with you Dear Readers. The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein. The book
is narrated by Enzo, a dog. We have two dogs so and after reading this book, I look at them in a much different way. This is a book about family, love, trials and understanding. Get your hands on this smooth read and let us know what you think of it!

June: I have been in a true crime niche lately. I just read a book by Ann Rule, Every Breath You Take. It was a tragic story about a woman who was stalked, hunted down and eventually murdered by her ex-husband. It was a horrible story and yet well written and interesting to read.

Dear Readers,

Do you have a question regarding family life, budgeting, customer service issues, DVD or book reviews, or home organization? We will give you our candid advise from a family perspective. Contact us at dearhousewives@live.com with your confidential question and we will answer it in our next column.

June and Flora