My good friend used to work at a local pub and get together with a "guy friend" after work. When she was laid off, she moved on to another pub.

Recently, she said that her husband suspected something and asked her to delete everything regarding this guy off all her phones, email, Facebook, etc. She said she had no interest in the man and didn't care if she ever saw him again.

Now I've discovered out that they're having an affair. They get together at a different pub and exchange gifts, constant kisses, etc. I know someone who works there.

I feel sorry for the husband as he works out of town, leaving Sundays and doesn't get home until late Friday. He has no idea what is happening and truly believes this guy is no longer around.

This "friend" is now trying to be "step-dad" to the son, in his early teens. I'm torn between wanting to tell her husband and talking with her.

Which Choice?

Talk to your friend, she needs to hear straight up about the consequences of her behaviour. Her son is the real "victim" here of a careless mother, who's becoming the hot gossip topic for this town.

He knows full well what's going on, and he'll soon lose respect for all three of the players, at a time when he's vulnerable to acting out as teenagers can do, so self-destructively.

If you're a close friend of the husband, you might ask him if he's considered finding work closer to home, for his son's sake as well as for his family togetherness. But if you can't handle that without blabbing further, forget it.

Due to finances, my parents moved in with us four months into our marriage and we've now been living together for one year. My parents are traditional and old-fashioned. My mom is a full-time homemaker and my dad's recently retired but doesn't lift a finger to help with household chores.

My husband and I have been arguing more frequently about the way my parents take care of the house for us while we're at work - e.g. they leave water puddles on the kitchen counters and in the bathrooms and my mom's cooking is too "unhealthy."

My parents already feel like tenants (they pay minimal rent) and they've already adapted to my husband's many unique habits.

He'd like to move my parents to the basement (it's not a walkout). He feels that our marriage isn't growing. His complaints and my parents' complaints leave me in the middle. What can we or I do to keep the peace? I'd like us all to act more like a family and not two separate households trying to co-exist together.

Wit's End

Your husband's position needs to be respected; it's his house too and they're not his parents, so start thinking of compromises before you both get more polarized.

Just shoving them downstairs would be insulting.... UNLESS you can fix up the area nicely, and also work out a way of life together. Does your mom have to cook every night, or can you two go out one night, have take-out another, teach her a new recipe (explain that it's necessary for family peace).

YOU need to give your father a cloth and explain about water puddles, and what a simple chore it is in exchange for living there. Somehow you need to balance your respect for parents with respect for your marriage. When your husband sees your efforts, he'll soften his stance.

I'm 21, dating since age 13; most of my boyfriends cheated or I left because they were emotionally abusive, controlling, or once, physically abusive.

Recently I met this guy, 23, who's interested in me, treats me fairly well, and our sex life is amazing. He's looking for commitment, but another serious relationship terrifies me. I fear if I keep him waiting he'll realize I'm not worth it and find someone else, yet I don't want to rush anything.

Need Confidence

Choosing boyfriends selectively and with confidence comes from experience and maturity. Age 13 was too young for that, and your pattern continued negatively because that's the experience you were building.

Now, focus on who you are and what you want. A great sex life isn't worth anything if treatment is only "fairly well," especially early on. And his "interest" isn't enough for a commitment. Believe that you're worth more time to know each other.