Dear Abby: Doctor took 5-year-old’s phone without asking

Doctor took 5-year-old’s phone without asking

While we were waiting to see the doctor, Ralphie played a game on my phone.

[...] the doctor knocked on the door, entered, said “hi” and smiled.

How do I tell the doctor that I find what he did unacceptable without risking the relationship? I’m not very assertive.

Ideally, you should have asked your son to return your cell phone when you heard the doctor enter.

Write him a letter and tell him you were “taken aback” that he would take something from your boy without asking because what happened seemed to you to be disrespectful.

Put the letter aside for three days before sending it to be sure your message wasn’t written in the heat of anger.

The next time your uncle asks you for money, tell him that you’ll consider loaning him more after he has repaid you the money he has already borrowed.