Jan 12, 2014 5 min read

Dear Annie: My problem is my in-laws. They do not have any friends or hobbies, so they choose to cling to us. They insist on doing everything we do, going everywhere we go.

Our children are active in sports and often play on the weekends. That means we spend every weekend with my in-laws. They talk to their son the whole time about nonsense, not even caring that they are distracting him and everyone around who is trying to watch the kids’ activities. My husband and I don’t get to spend much time together, and there’s no opportunity to do it at our kids’ games because the in-laws stand between us and take over any conversation.

My husband won’t say anything, but it’s driving me nuts. I’ve tried not giving them the kids’ schedules, but that doesn’t help. They invite us for dinner at least once a month and get their feelings hurt when we can’t go. They believe we should come for every holiday. They don’t ever consider that we might want to be alone with our kids or that there is family on my side whom we might want to see.

My in-laws are nice people, but I want to be able to do stuff with my husband and kids without them being there every time. This has been causing problems between my husband and me. Please, grandparents, find a hobby. – Smothered in California

Dear Smothered: This is an issue of boundaries. Dinner once a month with the in-laws is not excessive if the encounters are nontoxic. And they should be able to attend their grandchildren’s sporting events for a few hours on a weekend. However, you are right that they seem to intrude on a great deal of your family time, and their expectations are out of line. It’s OK to tell them “no” politely but firmly. Please discuss this with your husband so you are in agreement. His parents will learn to live with the disappointment, but your husband must back you up.

Q. My wife and I have been married for 15 years. It seems that if I don’t initiate sex, we never have any. I have told her what I would like, but she shows no interest. She just lies there and neither moves nor makes a sound. I don’t know whether I am giving her any pleasure.

I have discussed my concerns with her and have asked what she would like in the bedroom, but she always says, “Everything is fine. I like what we do.”

I am frustrated. I really love my wife and don’t want to end the relationship, but I have been having thoughts about finding another lover who will fulfill my needs in the bedroom. Please help. – Not Sure What To Do

A. Your wife may feel inhibited about sex, which is why she is silent in the bedroom and won’t discuss her preferences. It’s also possible that she doesn’t enjoy sex, for physical or emotional reasons, and has no interest in working at it. Instead of talking about likes and dislikes, tell her that her stoic reaction to sex saddens you and that it is threatening the stability of your marriage. Ask her to go with you to see a marriage counselor or a professional sex therapist.

Dear Annie: I am raising my two granddaughters because their parents are in jail. I love them, but I never get a break unless I can pay a babysitter, and it is a bit much. No one ever offers to take them, including the other grandparents, my siblings and my friends.

I understand that people have their own problems, but it is discouraging to see that no one cares enough to offer even a little help, and it would mean so much. I know I am doing what’s best for my grandchildren, which makes it worthwhile regardless, but I am an exhausted grandmother.

Dear Grandmother: Have you asked these people directly to give you a breather? If not, please do so. You are obviously a loving grandmother, but there’s no reason to be a martyr, waiting for others to offer assistance. Tell the other grandparents that you would like them to take the children next weekend. If they refuse, tell them to choose the weekend they prefer. Ask your siblings to spend a few hours with the kids on a Saturday. And contact AARP (aarp.org) for information on grandparents raising grandchildren and resources for respite care.

Dear Annie: “A Friend of Waiters” was disturbed by her friend’s treatment of restaurant staff, complaining and sending food back to the kitchen.

I have a relative who is similarly difficult. Whenever we go out, I choose a buffet style restaurant. This way, she can see what she is getting and choose accordingly. If she doesn’t like her choice, she can leave it and try something else. There is no waitstaff to berate or reason to demand that dishes be sent back. The worst she has ever done at a buffet restaurant is complain that our table was not clean enough. – Figured It Out

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