Dear Ada
Ada is back with some advice and answers to our viewers' pressing questions:
Dear Ada,
I absolutely love all of the advice segments that you do!!! Some mornings around my house revolve around different segments or if there is a lot going on I record it. So, I am coming to you for help. Can you please do a segment on dealing with overbearing mother in laws? My mother in law was a dream come true until I had my twins a year ago. Now she just drives me insane with her whiney baby talk to them (and there is 2 of them so it is double annoying), suggestions all the time and always trying to fix something. It is about to the point I will go to all costs to avoid her. My husband swears it isn't to annoy me, but I swear it is. I feel like I need a downer before she comes, but I really don't want to medicate the problem...I just want the old mother in law back!!!
-Today Viewer
We enlisted the help of parenting expert and iVillage contributor Dr. Michele Borba. Check out her strategies to deal with meddling mother-in-laws:
Hello!
I couldn't help but chuckle a bit when reading your email. I could relate to your issue. What is it about overbearing mother-in-laws and their need to offer "advice"? Here are a few tips that I hope will help you.
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Dear Ada has the answers to some of your pressing questions:
Dear Ada,
I watch the Today Show every morning while I am getting ready to go to work and I really liked the series of "Where in the World is Matt Lauer". I was a little bit disappointed that going everywhere around the world he did not go anywhere in South America where I am sure he could find very exotic and beautiful places that most people in North America don't know of.
Best Regards,
Diana, New York
Dear Diana,
You're right about South America's abundance of beautiful and exotic places. For what has become one of Today's trademark series, Matt has broadcast live from remote locations around the world. In 2001, Matt's travels brought him to Machu Picchu, Peru, and in 2002 he visited Rio De Janeiro in Brazil, as well at the Amazon. This year, on day 5 of Where In The World Is Matt Lauer, Matt was asked, "Of all the places you've visited over the years, what would be the one place you would return to for a family vacation?" He mentioned 3 places he would return to. The first one mentioned was Machu Picchu. He called it "a magical place". I'm certain his travels will bring him back to South America where he will continue to share with us, and the rest of the viewers, the splendor and magnificence of South America and its people.
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Ada answers your questions about the show:
Dear Ada,
There was a segment on diet and specific exercise for 30 days to get in shape for the summer on the show on Saturday, 4/14/07. I can’t find any reference to the book or the title on the website. Please tell me what it was. I want to buy the book!!
Suzy, Lubbock, TX
Dear Suzy,
The name of the book you are referring to is Making The Cut by Jillian Michaels. Good luck…I’m picking up a copy myself!
Dear Ada,
I was wondering if you could please tell me when the Today Show will be holding another wedding series where I can nominate someone.
Ann, York, PA
Dear Ann,
Look for the start of a new Today Throws A Wedding in September/October…and get ready to cast your votes!
Dear Ada,
Who is the guy we can hear laughing in the background of the set? We absolutely love to hear him. He has the most pleasant laugh. Please keep him close so we can continue to hear him. Today is a great show!
Dotty Coffey, Georgetown, KY
Hi Dotty,
As you can tell from watching the show, our anchors and crew love what they do and clearly have fun doing it. There are many times where show antics cause everyone on set to chuckle. One of the loudest and most recognizable laughs belongs to Mark Traub, our Senior Stage Manager. You can learn more about him in his AllDay blog.
What would you like to know about the Today crew? Do you have a problem and need advice? Ask Ada here.
Finding roadblocks when planning your wedding? Dear Ada has some advice:
Dear Ada,
My fiancé and I have been engaged for almost 7 months and we are pretty much at a stand still in the wedding plans. She's a full time student with a part-time job, and takes really good care of our house while I'm away. I'm always away because I'm in the Army. In the three and a half years we've been together I have been deployed 4 times, gone on Temporary duty about 6 times, and work 12 hour days. I think we have only been by each others side maybe a total of one year. With the current global situation, it looks like there is just no end in sight for Monica and I to spend any good quality time together, let alone plan a wedding. I am in the Army, my family is from Montana, and Monica's family is from Tennessee where I'm stationed. What is the best way to help her plan a wedding and fit it into our schedule?
Thanks,
Lost in the OPTEMPO.
Jayson, Clarksville, TN
Dear Jayson,
Planning a wedding is a major undertaking. Even with your additional challenges, you still have plenty of resources to help your wife plan your special day. I enlisted the help of Brides magazine’s Editor-in-Chief Millie Martini Bratten to give you some great tips and resources:
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Ada is back with more advice for our viewers. She answers a few of your questions here:
Dear Ada,
I’m a stay at home Mother of four children ranging in ages 3 – 11 years old. My husband is a car salesman. I feel he is married to his job. I resent him for being so committed to his job, and yet rarely around for us. Because the kids are so young, I really could use his help. My entire family is in NJ and I feel so all alone most of the time. I have made a lot of friends here in Florida, but friends can’t replace Daddy. I don’t know how to get him to come home early more often. By the time he does come home, I hate him for coming home late.
Maria, Bradenton, FL
Dear Maria,
Hmm…ok. Your husband is at work all day, and you want him to leave at a reasonable time to come home and deal with 4 kids, and a resentful wife. Can you blame him for wanting to sell more cars? Seriously, I’m sure the children are precious, but you need to look at this situation through his eyes. But let’s start with you first. Children can be exhausting and it’s important that you find “me time”. CONTINUED >>
When you are single and looking -- where do you start? Here is one viewer's call for help:
Dear Ada,
I am a single lady in my mid 50's and would like to meet someone to go out with occasionally. I really don't have much of a social life and work most of the time. I'm a Realtor. My daughter suggested that I go on the internet but I am uncomfortable with that idea. Do you have any suggestions on where I woman like myself could possibly meet a quality gentleman?
Philadelphia, PA
So where can she find an occasional companion to share dinners, quiet times, etc.? I know many in this age group (50+) find it very difficult. To many, the bar scene is not an option, nor is internet dating. Ok viewers -- it is time for you to help. What suggestions do you have? Do you have your own success stories you can share? Send us your comments.
Have a problem and need advice? Ask Ada here.
Dear Ada,
I am 30 and single. I've done Match.com, and have been on blind dates to no avail. I think I'm actually turned off by the thought of having to try to meet someone. I know it's unrealistic to think that fate alone could bring me my dream guy, but why can't I get excited about the more unconventional ways to meet people. Another thing, I find that I am not getting excited by the dates I've had recently. Is it me or is it the dates? I can't tell! Perhaps I'm just going through an apathetic stage?
-Heather, Minneapolis
I enlisted relationship expert, sexologist and frequent Today guest Logan Levkoff to help answer your question. Here are her words of advice:
Dear Heather,
Dating success is more than just leaving it up to fate – it has a lot to do with our attitude and our self-esteem. In order for us to be better “daters” we need to recognize that our happiness cannot be based upon whether or not we are partnered. We need to feel good about who we are on our own; we cannot expect someone else to make us feel better about ourselves.
Even if you’ve already tackled the self-esteem component of dating, it’s still okay to feel overwhelmed, bored, or completely turned off by dating – especially if you haven’t met anyone interesting. People put a lot of pressure on meeting “the perfect mate,” but what may be perfect for one is certainly not perfect for another. Actually, there are times when what we may perceive as perfect may not be good for us, either. Sometimes we need to expand our minds in terms of who are looking for.
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You asked and Ada answered. Here are the latest responses from Ada:
Dear Ada,
My daughter is 11 years old and very smart. I have a teaching degree and find it extremely difficult to keep my nose out of her schoolwork, especially her big science project which is due for the Science Fair. How can I "let go" and let her make her own mistakes? I've read what she has so far and it's fantastic, but she refuses to type labels for her graphics, and that's mandatory!
Jean, McVeytown, PA
Dear Jean,
Well, I’m a Mom too and I know how difficult that can be! I asked Parenting Expert and Educational Psychologist, Michele Borba, for her advice. Read on…
AHHH!! How tough it is to step aside and watch our kids make those mistakes! But doing so is actually the best way to prepare your child for biggest game of all, L.I.F.E. If it would help you any, do know that study after study after study (and I'm sure you read some of those in your teacher courses) say kids who are always rescued do not do so well out there in the real world. The director of mental health at Harvard says he's never seen so many SMART kids entering as freshmen, but also he's never seen so many SAD kids who can't cope with their first B.
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