Dear Abby: My parents’ dating rules are too rigid

Recently, my parents have begun putting restrictions on us, limiting us to one date a week, under four hours long and in a group situation. When I visit, every single adult’s attention is on the boys and no real conversation ensues. Dear Unimpressed: Because you are not yet a parent, you may not have noticed that when parents of small children get on the phone, their children, in a bid for their attention, become either very noisy or very quiet. The noisiness is preferable, because when the kids become very quiet, they are usually doing something they’re not supposed to. Because the noise your nieces and nephews make unnerves you, schedule phone calls with your siblings after their little ones have been put to bed. [...] if you would like adult/alone time with them, ask if you can schedule a lunch away from their home for an occasional visit. Is it more appropriate to eat ice cream cake with a spoon or a fork? I’m always unsure which is preferable. Eat your ice cream cake with a spoon or a “spork” (a utensil that’s a combination spoon and fork) so there will be fewer drips when the ice cream starts to melt.