Dear Queenie,
My husband’s brother’s wife likes to flirt with my husband and pretend there is something going on between them. When she had a baby she even went so far as to say it might actually be my husband’s child, not her husband’s, but we know that is not possible because he had a vasectomy years before she got pregnant.
Both husbands just ignore her behaviour but I worry about what our families might think.
Queenie, how do I deal with all this?—Angry wife
Dear Wife,
Have a paternity test done and if the subject comes up you can show proof that the baby is not your husband’s. Then try to ignore this woman’s nonsense.
You might also suggest that she get professional counselling, because it appears she has mental issues.
Dear Queenie,
My fiancé has been having some business problems and when we got engaged all he could afford was an inexpensive little ring. He promised to give me a more elegant one when things get better, but I don’t care how expensive the ring is, I love the man for himself, not for the gifts he gives me.
But, Queenie, what do I say to people who make remarks about how cheap my engagement ring is?—Happy fiancée
Dear Fiancée,
Just smile and tell them how lucky you are to be engaged to such a wonderful man, and the ring is exactly what you wanted.
Dear Queenie,
When our teenage daughter invites some of her friends over to our house the friends’ parents often ask if the friends’ younger sisters can come too. I don’t mind, but my daughter would rather enjoy the time with her friends without the younger kids around.
Queenie, what should I tell the parents without being rude?—Teenager’s mother
Dear Mother,
Just tell them, “Sorry, it’s not convenient today.” And if this is just an occasional refusal, add, “Maybe another day.”
Dear Queenie,
I do not have any problems with my wife, she is just wonderful. It’s one of her friends I just can’t stand. She is totally self-centered and expects my wife to baby-sit her kids whenever she can’t find another sitter, which is a lot of the time, and put up with lots of other nonsense.
My wife knows how I feel about this woman, but she says this friend needs her and she won’t turn her away. I have tried to be polite, but that friend is just too much to take.
Queenie, what advice do you have for me?—Fed up
Dear Fed up,
Your wife is entitled to choose her friends, just as you are, and you are under no obligation to like the same people your wife likes, although it is nice for both of you when that happens.
If you dislike this woman so much, try to have as little contact with her as possible. When your wife goes to see her or babysit her children you do not have to go with her. When the friend comes to your home to visit your wife, go out and run errands or visit a friend(s) of your own.
And keep reminding yourself that, as the saying goes, patience is a virtue and virtue is its own reward.
Dear Queenie,
My boyfriend and I have been going together for several years and I think we have a serious relationship, but he likes to go out riding his motorcycle without telling me and I get worried when don’t hear from him and I can’t reach him.
I get upset when I’m sitting at home alone worrying about him and I can’t reach him, especially on a weekend night when we could be doing something together.
Queenie, am I asking too much?—Lonely girlfriend
Dear Girlfriend,
Unless you and your boyfriend have made definite plans for any night, assume he is not coming and arrange to do something with your family or other friends. It will keep you too busy to worry about him, and he probably will be much more interested in you if he knows you are not just sitting around waiting for him.
