DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: My daughter was supposed to get married last September. Rather than have a pared down event, she and her fiancé decided to reschedule the wedding to later this year. They were able to retain their venue and all their providers but one, who sadly, didn’t survive the downturn in business.

Since she was a teen, our daughter has battled weight issues, largely complicated by necessary medications she will probably be on for the rest of her life. The pandemic hasn’t helped, and she has gained enough weight to keep her from fitting in her wedding gown, which was custom-made by the bridal shop that is now shuttered, being the one casualty so far. At least she already had the gown at home when they closed their doors.

My daughter, who has always been very conscious about her weight, has been making herself sick over the gown. She was originally two sizes smaller when the gown was ordered and made. I keep telling her not to get too upset, since a good tailor should be able to fix the situation, but so far it has not helped. And then, when I reminded her she still has time to work on her weight, that really set her off, and she has barely spoken to me since.

What else can I do to not make things worse, but instead, convince her she has options? --- MOTHER OF THE DELAYED BRIDE

DEAR MOTHER OF THE DELAYED BRIDE: I agree with you that your daughter needs to be mindful of having time to find solutions to the gown situation. I’m also with you in your confidence that skilled tailors are magicians, and finding one in your area, who would take time to explain possible options is the way to go.

If you don’t know which tailor to contact, you may be able to get recommendations from the other service providers, or through wedding websites such as The Knot. I’m sure your daughter isn’t the only bride facing this type of complication, and getting a little guidance from impartial (aka, not Mom) resources may allay some of her anxiety.

DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: Our son and his wife are expecting their first child, our first grandchild, at the end of the summer. Even though I think they have plenty of time, they are already planning the baby shower, and from what my wife said, they are going to have men at it, and I’ll be “invited.”

This new trend of having men at what should be all-women events and vice versa seems wrong to me. As a middle-aged man, I honestly have no overwhelming desire to be at the event, but I know there will be all hell to pay if I decline to be there.

What’s the matter with a little single-sex celebration every now and then? --- ALL FOR KEEPING IT SEPARATE

DEAR ALL FOR KEEPING IT SEPARATE: Truth be told, I’m with you on this one.

While there’s much to be said for keeping the dads-to-be in the loop, there’s also something liberating in having an opportunity to follow the age-old customs of separating the sexes for certain traditional events. I doubt too many men would savor hearing childbirth war stories and tips on how to simultaneously manage breastfeeding and housework. And, with men in the room, I can easily see how some experienced mothers may feel reluctant to openly share their tales of motherhood, which could benefit the guest of honor.

(Although, it could be edifying for at least a few men I know to discover that menstruation is not the only topic of discussion in play every time women get together.)

DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: My mom sent me to dig out my birth certificate from our safe deposit box because I needed it for my new job. When I was getting it, I came across both my parents’ birth certificates, and I saw that according to my mom’s she is five years older than she always claims to be, and so, three years older than my dad.

I get woman’s vanity and all that, but why would she lie even to her family? It kind of hurts, and I just don’t understand, especially since I know what would have happened if I did the same thing in the other direction to fake my age back before I was legal. --- MY MOM’S A LIAR

DEAR MY MOM’S A LIAR: Getting creative about one’s age isn’t just for women. Plenty of men fib about their date of birth too.

So now you know how old your mom really is. While it may be important at some time in the future, for medical or legal purposes, for instance, what possible good could it do for you to confront her with your knowledge of her secret at this time? Your mom may have a good reason for her creative math, and if it doesn’t hurt anyone, why not leave it be for now?