Dear Abby: I think she was wrong to tell the kids their mother was drunk

"While we were attending a friend's family barbecue, Willa, a young mother of four, drank too much and became ill. Drugs may have been involved. Understandably, the three older children became very concerned about their mom's condition. Willa's partner, Ian, was furious. My husband spent an hour de-escalating Ian's issues, while I attended to Willa and assured the children their mom would be feeling better after she rested. The problem I had was with my friend Julia, who was the host."

"Julia was probably mad as heck that Willa ruined her party, which is why she unloaded the way she did. That said, the children were clearly worried when they asked what was wrong with their mom. Frankly, I think Julia did the right thing by telling them the truth about their mother's condition. That way, the next time it happens, and it will, they won't be terrified that their mother has a fatal illness."

At a family barbecue, Willa, a young mother of four, drank too much and became ill, with drugs possibly involved. Her three older children became very worried about her condition. Willa's partner, Ian, reacted angrily, and another guest's husband spent an hour calming him while a friend tended to Willa and reassured the children. The host, Julia, loudly told the children their mother was not sick but drunk, which upset them further. Julia insists she did nothing wrong. Observers noted Julia was likely angry her party was ruined, but telling children the truth can prevent future panic.

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