Nicole's question

Dear Barb:
Well, another Thanksgiving has been ruined because of my sister! She’s divorced and has two kids. But the last three Thanksgivings she has brought a different guy and his kids to our family dinner. She hardly knows these guys, so everyone feels uncomfortable. The guy she brought this year had three kids. Two were in their early teens. The youngest one was running through the house making a mess and not listening to anyone while his father totally ignored him. My sister tried to get the boy to listen, but he completely disregarded what she said. Even mom stepped in and tried to control him, to no avail. Meanwhile the teenagers were on their phones for the most part, except when I caught the older one smoking weed outside. I laid into him about doing something illegal at my mom’s house. At least he listened to me. We don’t know what to do about this. My brother and I want my sister and her kids to share family events, but why does she always have to bring these guys, that she hardly knows, plus their kids. Do you have any suggestions on how we could handle this without my sister becoming angry and not showing up? She is a very reactive person. Thanks, Nicole.
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