Ask Sir Charles

Q: My kid loves Wes Welker, which since the Super Bowl has been a little confusing. After all, a guy who's been an amazing player all year is now being treated like he shot somebody's dog because he didn't make a tough catch. How do I convince my kid the problem isn't him - it's us. The name-calling. The finger-pointing. That a lot of people need to be reminded that winning isn't, in fact, everything.

- A Frustrated Fan in Willingboro

A: Dude, that's sad. The very nature of sports is that somebody wins and somebody loses. Pointing fingers or calling in to sports radio isn't going to do any good. It's not going to make somebody re-catch a ball. People need to get over it. There was an episode of "Seinfeld" where he went to an office to heckle a worker who booed him at the comedy club. Brilliant. Wouldn't it be great if athletes could tell people they suck at their jobs? "Hey, man, you call yourself a . . . lawyer? What kind of defense is that!" When it comes to finger-pointing, the best place to start is in the mirror.

Q: At least once a week, my husband answers his phone just as we're sitting down to have dinner. My feeling is that our dinner - our time together - is just as important as anybody who is calling. When I've told him how I feel, he agrees, but then goes right on doing it. How do I make him stop?

- A Hungry Wife in Mount Airy

A: Once a week? Are you sure it isn't a girlfriend or a buddy trying to get him to sneak out for a beer? I'm sorry, that's terrible. Listen, there's nothing wrong with having a simple rule, like no phone calls during dinner hour. Maybe you need to condition him: If he breaks it, he has to pay you a fine or do something special for you. After a few of those paybacks, that brother will never want to talk on the phone again!