My husband and I have been married for 15 years. He has children from his first wife, as I have boys from my first marriage. Recently, we were at a birthday party at my stepson’s home for one of our grandchildren. The kids, aged 5 through 9, were punching Uncle Rick in the stomach as hard as they could.

The gentleman sitting next to me said, “I do not like the hitting.” I said I agree, “I think it is disrespectful.” My daughter-in-law just about jumped over the table and said, “It is not disrespectful, they are playing.”

They now no longer speak to me, and I have been banished from their house. My stepson said I disrespected my daughter-in-law. I stand by my statement. I do not think kids should be allowed to punch a grown man in the stomach for fun. Your thoughts?

— Banned Mother-in-La

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