DEAR ABBY: I just celebrated my 80th birthday at a party with 22 of my dearest friends. I also invited my daughter-in-law, “Sydney,” and her mother.

The problem is, I didn’t invite my 8-year-old granddaughter. I explained that I felt she wouldn’t enjoy herself with all of us senior women. Sydney disagreed.

I then suggested perhaps it would be better if I had a dinner party for the entire family the following evening (on my actual birthday) at a fine dining restaurant. In retaliation for my not inviting my granddaughter, Sydney declined the dinner invitation, although all other family members attended. My “punishment” was not to receive a birthday present from her.