Dear Amy: I know I’m old-fashioned, but I still think I’m right!

My son has been dating a young lady for about six months. They live together. She has a 3-year-old child and no relationship with that child’s father.

Now, she and my son are expecting a child of their own. I am not thrilled.

They would like me to host a baby shower for them.

I’m sure I will love the baby, but I am not comfortable asking friends and family to celebrate this pregnancy. I did offer to host a wedding for them. I think parents should be married. — Reluctant Grandma

Dear Reluctant: If you don’t want to host a shower for the baby, then perhaps the child’s mother has someone in her life who will step up.

If you refuse to celebrate this pregnancy, and you won’t ask, expect or encourage others to celebrate this pregnancy, then — aside from the couple’s marital status — this baby is already starting life disadvantaged.

Your old-fashioned standards are putting a burden on a baby that didn’t ask to come into this world and hasn’t been born yet.

It is understandable and natural not to be thrilled by an unexpected pregnancy to unmarried parents who haven’t been together for very long. But the time to start the process of learning to love this baby is now.

Dear Amy: Recently you published a question from “Perplexed,” asking about the propriety of sending holiday cards featuring photos of a deceased person. I’m the person who wrote that question. My friend’s husband passed away several years ago, but she continues sending cards featuring photos of the two of them together.

Your answer made a lot of sense. I never looked at it that way. After that reply from you, I wrote to my friend to thank her for sharing her memories with me. Thank you for opening my eyes. — Perplexed

Dear Perplexed: In my response, I suggested that you look at these photos not as a morbid reminder of a person who has died, but as your friend’s choice to celebrate a relationship that for her is very much alive.

I’m so glad you were inspired to reach out to your friend.