Dear Eric: 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 five through nine, 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?

– Ban

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