Dear Queenie,

I broke up with my boyfriend a while back but now I know it was a big mistake and I really want him back.

Queenie, how can I get him to give me another chance?—Sad ex-girlfriend

Dear Ex,

You can tell him you know now that you made a big mistake and beg him to try again, but if he is not willing to do so, you will have to let him go. Nothing is quite as unattractive as desperate unrequited love.

Dear Queenie,

My boyfriend is at university in the States, but we talk on the phone several times a day and travel to be together as often as we can.

The last time we were together he told me loves me, but he’s been dating other women and having sex with them, and he hardly spent any time with me.

I told him I couldn’t go on like that and things were over between us, but he still calls and says he loves me.

Queenie, should I give him another chance or tell him to leave me alone?—Heartbroken

Dear Heartbroken,

Your (ex-)boyfriend wants to have his cake (you) and eat it too (a lot of other women).

Do not let him make you feel like second choice. Tell him he can “eat all the cake” he wants and to let you get on with your life in peace, meaning without him. You can find a lot better “significant other” than this philanderer.

Dear Queenie,

My husband travels a lot on business and very often he has friends from high school or college, both men and women, in the places he goes and he gets together with them for dinner.

I have no problem with them going out together in a group, but sometimes it’s just him and a single (unmarried or divorced) woman and I don’t think that’s a good idea.

Queenie, should I be worried about this?—Concerned wife

Dear Wife,

Has your husband ever given you any reason not to trust him? If he has not, do not dream up trouble where there probably is none.

On the other hand, if he has “strayed” in the past …

Dear Queenie,

My husband and I try to avoid processed foods, especially candy and junk food, and we consult our doctor or paediatrician about our children’s diet and any medicines and nutritional supplements, but my parents constantly scold us for depriving our children of sweets and other treats and giving them “dangerous medicine.”

Queenie, how do we convince them we are doing the right thing?—Careful parents

Dear Parents,

You probably cannot convince them to agree with your choices, but you may be able to stop their criticism by referring them to your doctor/paediatrician.

When they criticise you, just tell them, “Dr. (whoever) says this is just fine. Here is his (or her) phone number – go argue with him (or her),” and change the subject or end the conversation.