Dear Abby:
My wife and I are staying at my in-laws while our home is being renovated. It’s the third day, and last night, I heard my stepfather creeping into the basement while everyone else was asleep. Should I say something and risk being thrown out or starting a family feud? He’s the sole provider, and this is his house. Or should I just keep this to myself? – I’ve seen too much
Dear Too Much: You might think you know what you saw, but it sounds like you didn’t actually see anything concrete. It may be best to keep quiet until your stay is over. Just hang in there.
Dear Abby:
My husband and I have been married for 33 years, but the last decade has been extremely challenging. His selfishness and attitude have built up a lot of resentment on my part.
He claims he’s changed and is now more considerate of my thoughts and feelings. The issue is, this realization only came after I had finally decided to leave.
How can I figure out what’s best for me? I love him, and deep down, he’s a good man, but it feels like there might be too much history between us now. – I don’t know in Illinois
I Don’t Know: Changing one’s behavior isn’t something that happens overnight. It takes work. I suggest you don’t rush back to him until you undergo at least a year of counseling with a qualified therapist. Only after some time and effort on his part will you know whether you can move past the history or if it’s best to stay apart.
Dear Abby:
I had an accident and have been in walking boots for a few weeks now. This isn’t the first time, either. I find it frustrating when strangers feel the need to comment on my boots. Questions like “Did you kick someone?” or “What happened?” feel intrusive. It’s really not their business.
I want to remind readers that this kind of behavior is rude. Also, how should I respond to these inconsiderate comments? I tried a light joke, saying, “You should have seen the sidewalk!” but it doesn’t seem to work. – I Fell in Georgia
Dear Hobbled: If you think you’re alone in feeling annoyed by this, think again. People are often curious and don’t filter their thoughts very well. They aren’t trying to be offensive. Your humor is a good strategy; stick with it. It seems to be the best way to handle it.
