Dear Queenie,

My little children like to visit my husband’s mother, their grandmother, but his kid brother lives with her and he brings his girlfriend home with him and they talk a lot about sex, even in front of the children.

We tried to talk to Grandma about it and she said there is nothing she can do.

Queenie, what can we do?—Offended parents

Dear Parents,

First, be sure your brother-in-law and his girlfriend are not abusing or intimidating your mother-in-law. Then, let your husband talk to his brother and ask him and his girlfriend to watch out how they talk in front of your children – and you can hope that they will do so.

Dear Queenie,

My husband and I are in our 60s and he has some health problems that have pretty much killed his ability to have sex and his wish to do it.

I miss all that but I don’t want to hurt his feelings by talking about it.

Queenie, what can I do?—Deprived wife

Dear Wife,

Surely your husband also misses “all that”, but he may not realise how much you miss it too. Tell him you love him and ask him what you can do to help. Also, suggest talking to his doctor about it and asking for any medical help there may be.

Dear Queenie,

Everyone at the beauty parlor where I go is from another country and they all speak that language all the time to each other because they aren’t very good at English. I like their work but it’s hard to talk to them.

Queenie, what do you suggest?—Dissatisfied patron

Dear Dissatisfied,

Can you find another place where everyone speaks English very well and they do good work? Letting the people at your present place know that you are looking elsewhere might encourage them to improve their English.

Dear Queenie,

I started working in my family’s business a little while ago and I don’t know much about it, but I’m trying to learn and I come in early and stay late. My problem is that most of the others who work here think I’m spoiled and stuck-up and I only got the job because I’m family.

Queenie, how can I get them to show me some respect?—Disrespected employee

Dear Disrespected,

This kind of thing happens to many persons who start working in a family business. Keep doing what you are doing – come in early, stay late, and learn all you can. In time, it will pay off in many ways.