Dear Abby

My husband and I are in our early 60s and have enjoyed a lot of fun together over the last five years. I’ve embraced dressing up and role-playing, occasionally inviting friends over. It’s been a wonderful experience that keeps us feeling young.

Recently, however, one of our adult children returned home and doesn’t really go out much. When his girlfriend stays over for the weekend, it tends to dampen our plans. By the time Monday rolls around and we’re back at work, we find ourselves feeling down, so we try to make the most of our time together while we can.

I’ve stayed at hotels before, but it lacks that sense of freedom at home. My husband believes that since our son is an adult now, I should feel free to do what I want, regardless of whether he’s around. He says if our son can’t accept that, he needs to find a different place to be. Abby, what’s your perspective? — No More Empty Nests

Dear No More Empty Nests,

Your home should be a space where you can feel free to live your life. It might be a good idea to have a serious chat with your son, letting him know that privacy is essential for both you and your husband. If he questions why, just be honest. Perhaps then he might suggest spending weekends at his girlfriend’s place.

Dear Abby

I was married to my son’s father for 14 years. During that time, he was unfaithful and involved with multiple women. When I shared with my family that I was getting a divorce, one of my brothers became angry and insisted I should do everything possible to salvage the marriage. The support I expected from loved ones vanished; even my church community turned against me, though some friends remained by my side. It really hurt, and now our once close-knit family feels so fractured.

I met a man living an hour and a half away who treats my son and me well. I considered moving to be closer to him, but my son didn’t want to leave his sports and friends. He reassured me he would stay with his father. I felt torn between my son and my relationship, and then my brothers started criticizing me for wanting to leave, so I decided to stay put. My boyfriend understood because he cared about what was best for my son.

Now, my ex and my brother frequently hang out, while I never receive a message asking how I’m doing. It stings, and I’ve slipped into a deep depression because of it. Did I do something wrong? — Kentucky Divorce-Induced Depression

Dear Divorcee,

You haven’t done anything wrong. It’s evident that your family has long had a stronger attachment to your unfaithful ex than to you. Feeling hurt and depressed is completely understandable. That being said, I think you should seriously consider reigniting your relationship with your boyfriend. Moving to a new town could help you escape some of those painful memories. Plus, you can meet new friends and start fresh. If your depression doesn’t lift, consulting a professional could be a beneficial step forward.