Dear Amy: My mother-in-law is causing a rift in the family that’s hurting my husband.
The rest of the extended family has respected our wishes to cut ties with the ex, but not my MIL, and this has been very hurtful to my husband.We do not want this dynamic to continue.Dear Disturbed: The way you describe this situation, your husband’s ex is the gatekeeper, controlling access to his grown children – or at least, your mother-in-law perceives it that way.
Dear Amy: My friend, “Candace” consistently says things about herself that just aren’t accurate. For example, she drinks over two bottles of wine every night and then trash talks a friend of hers for drinking too much. The way to bring this up is to be respectful, concerned, frank, and fair: “I know that ‘Shelley’s’ drinking bothers you, but I have to be honest and say that your drinking worries me.”