Dear Readers: Many of you wrote in with tips on encouraging children to focus less on material items. Thank you for sharing these terrific suggestions. Here are some of my favorite letters:

Dear Annie: I just read your letter from “Caught in the Middle,” the parent whose daughter is being spoiled by her grandparents and is looking for a polite way to call off the gifts.

The letter writer should follow your advice and encourage her mother to start giving memories instead of presents. She should get on the floor with her granddaughter and play with her.

Whether it’s having a tea party or building a fort or going to the zoo, those are the things her granddaughter will remember. She won’t remember the gifts after a week or two, but memories of play dates and special times with her grandma? She’ll remember those always.

My grandson has a family member who always gives gifts, and sometimes it’s hard when I don’t do that. But I’m determined to give him memories that will last.

When he remembers how he pet the baby deer at the deer farm, he’ll remember that we took him there. Or how we were at every sporting event that he’s played in, being his loudest supporters.

He often brings up some of the things we’ve done. That’s when I know we’ve done the right thing.

Grammy life is the best life. — Memories Forever

Read more Dear Annie and other advice columns.

“How Can I Forgive My Cheating Partner?” is out now! Annie Lane’s second anthology — featuring favorite columns on marriage, infidelity, communication and reconciliation — is available as a paperback and e-book. Visit Creators Publishing for more information. Send your questions for Annie Lane to [email protected].

COPYRIGHT 2024 CREATORS.COM