My husband's retired, I work full time. I'm exhausted when I get home. He does some housework, and under duress, has started to walk the dogs. He has no hobbies, and doesn't go out with friends, although I've encouraged this. He prefers TV.
I've asked him to do the prep for our supper. He waits for me to get home and prepare it. Eating out is too expensive for us. I'd like him to make suppers on weekdays ... simple, easy food, like soup and sandwiches.

I'm happy to cook on weekends. How can I persuade him that it's not unfair for me to want his contribution on workdays? He has time, and the larders are stocked.

Fed Up

Get this man chopping. On the weekend, insist on his help in the kitchen, and hand him the fixing's for big-pot-meals - large soups, chili, meat sauce, etc. Freeze quantities of each and say he must defrost one each weekday if he wants to eat.

If that doesn't work, put the makings of a sandwich on the counter when you get home, and make only your own. It's harsher, but hopefully, he'll quickly see that he's been unfair, and you're done with his resistance.

I'm 19, diagnosed as a child with ADHD, Dyslexia, mild bi-polar disorder, and more. All of which I'm medicated for.

My boyfriend, of ten months is 21. It was love at first sight. After three months though, he confessed addiction to prescription drugs. He'd been afraid to tell me because I don't date people who take anything harder than pot. I forgave him when he promised to get clean, which he did.

He also has severe ADHD and issues with trust. Initially, we fought because he wouldn't let me contact ANY of my friends, especially males. I started to lie about it, and eventually cheated on him. I confessed it after a friend dropped him hints, and after I apologized he gave me a second chance.

Now, our fights are increasingly aggressive. He's enraged by my presence when we argue, and has taken to pushing me and screaming at me to get out of his apartment even if it means leaving my things behind. He shows more cruelty towards me with each argument.

Also, my ex has been trying to contact me. I still have feelings for him, though he hurt me deeply. I don't want to hurt my boyfriend but I'm starting to resent him for the way he treats me. He disrespects my parents verbally to me, refuses to come to my house, and tries to control even what I say to friends and family. Everything I do is wrong to him. How do I say good-bye? How do I keep going?

Wit's End

Leave, VERY SOON, and don't say goodbye until you're safely at home. Then, you can send him a letter explaining that his behaviour is unacceptable and frightening, and that you fear for his well being, too.

This has nothing to do with your ex, and you'd be foolish to rush back into that relationship, until you've had time to de-stress from this one. You also need to question your need for intense attachment, hanging in with someone whose control and anger should've been red flags that sent you packing long ago.

Use this time for firming up what you really want in a partner. Individual counseling would help you understand yourself better, so you can be more selective in future.

Last year, an acquaintance asked me to join her curling team. I agreed. During the season I found her rude, reactionary, and sometimes spiteful.

I'll curl until the end of the season because I made a commitment to her, but I won't stay on the team next season. When I say I won't be coming back, do I owe her an explanation? I'll see her often over the summer and I don't want to create animosity.

Awkward Situation

You do not owe her any reasons for changing your mind. Though you may see her often, you're clearly not eager to be close pals. So long as you don't directly insult her, she may wonder about your leaving but not be able to take it personally.

However, if she persists, you may want a response that isn't an outright lie. Example, "It doesn't suit my schedule for next season."