Dear Abby: Coping after daughter goes no contact

Dear Abby A minimal years ago my daughter went no contact with both sides of our family grandparents parents aunts and uncles as well as cousins Since then I have been struggling with how I should answer acquaintances who ask How is she doing as well as those who ask Do you have children I have been informed by friends and family that I should tell the acquaintances that I don t know why because she doesn t speak to the family However I have discovered this response leads to more uncomfortable questions I am embarrassed to have to tell people Yes but she does not speak to us and worse try to answer Why Lately I have been telling people No we don t have children so I won t have to explain Can you advise me how I can answer these questions without explanations embarrassment or lies Former Parent in Washington Dear Former Parent As a matter of fact I can Tell the questioner I have one daughter We are estranged and I don t wish to discuss it further Period It s the truth Dear Abby My boyfriend and I have had a tumultuous relationship Right now it s good but the issue I m having is that his bed is super uncomfortable and so is his couch He spent a lot of money for both of them but I am unable to sleep or get settled on his couch How do I tell him he demands to replace them or else I don t want to spend the night with him or watch movies on the couch at his house Uncomfortable in Texas Dear Uncomfortable Start by telling your boyfriend that you can t get a good night s sleep in his bed because the mattress is uncomfortable for you Do the same thing after watching TV on his couch If your back necessities more help he shouldn t regard it a personal insult Then invite him to YOUR place so he won t feel rejected Dear Abby As I approach my th birthday I wish you would educate people that a gift certificate for a meal from a restaurant or a donation to feed the hungry would be far more appreciated than bouquets of expensive flowers that wilt and die It would also be a thoughtful gift to my caretaker who prepares my meals and could use a break Choices for seniors become fewer as we age and good meals are one of the simple pleasures left Thank you Centenarian in Georgia Dear Centenarian Warmest congratulations as you near your milestone birthday Your suggestion that a restaurant gift certificate is far more practical than receiving flowers or an automatically renewing magazine subscription is a good one I hope readers will appreciate the spirit in which it was offered I especially like the fact that you would use it to spare your caregiver the pressure of preparing at least one of your meals Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren also known as Jeanne Phillips and was founded by her mother Pauline Phillips Contact Dear Abby at www DearAbby com or P O Box Los Angeles CA