My boyfriend of two-and-a-half years is often travelling for work. Last year he met a woman in another city, went gaga over her and ended things with me. But it was more in his head than hers. We got back together after six weeks. 
    
      He wants to maintain contact with her, as a friend. I believe him, that there’s no physical contact, but asked him to stop contact.
      He stays in contact with all his exes, but  I don't have a problem with that. However, I don’t see this woman as an "ex.” He even suggested he’d have dinner with her when in her town. He feels I’m usurping his freedom; I feel it’s a matter of respect for me.  
    
      Is going our separate ways a win-win for both of us because we're too far apart on this core issue?
      - Uncertain

Your guy’s using false logic to maintain a “cake-and-eat-it” position. Though you’re both arguing about concepts – freedom for him, respect for you – this is really about feelings.
      He went “gaga,” but was rejected. You were dumped for her. You’re both trying to heal wounds … but yours will remain if he contacts/sees this woman again. If he persists, leave him.

My difficult relationship with my mother dates back to my teens. I’m an only child, dad’s passed away. She still demands my respect, but gives me none. I’m in my 60s, she’s 90. She fell recently and I ran back and forth (40 kms away) to do her laundry, groceries, etc. She always found some fault. When my husband and I took off work to take her to her last check-up, she was sarcastic to me and I retorted sharply.
      We didn’t speak for a week, when I got a whiny phone call saying I have to make sacrifices as I’m part of the “sandwich generation.” My husband works evenings, and has one week-end off in four.  He has time to visit his parents one day a week, but I don't have that time. I used to phone her regularly, but I’m tired of the sarcasm. When I do go to her city, I'm juggling my own doctors’ appointments and other things, but all she sees is that I'm not paying her enough attention. 
      Whenever I offer to come over, it’s always “inconvenient” for her. I can't just jump every time SHE feels I should. I told her that my schedule revolves around my husband, which displeases her, but I've learned that the buddy system is safer when dealing with her. No matter what I do, it's not good enough. 
      - Stressed

This isn’t the time to expect your mother to change, OR to decide you can’t handle her anymore. Do the latter, and her passing will leave you with huge unresolved feelings about your relationship with her. It may not be “guilt” but it sure won’t be comfort either.
      You ARE in the sandwich generation, but there are ways to handle it. Get your mother some of the attention she needs. Try a visiting homemaker service, plan a regular visit from you which she can come to expect (even if she claims “inconvenience”), such as every other week, for  short periods.
      Yes, she may find fault, but you need to rise above it. A professional may help you with this; for some reason, you’ve been reacting to the same dynamics of your teenage years, rather than using the confidence of maturity and an active adult life to respond differently.

I’m 18, with a wonderful boyfriend of four years; however, we constantly do the same thing. I’ve found Boyfriend #2 - he smokes, drinks heavily, flirts, and has numerous female hangers-on, but claims I rescued him from further spiral into drugs. Sex is amazing, yet I feel used, as he’s losing interest.
      My parents don’t want me to date #2 though he’s slowly reforming.  Now #1 has proposed. I want to treat both boyfriends fairly and convince my parents to let me see #2 and have him regain his interest.
      - Boy Crazy

You’ve caught the “Bad Boy” virus, but it’ll soon feel like a sucker-punch. Your parents are wise: you’re young, inexperienced and unwittingly headed for trouble with #2. The proposal from #1 is also wrong-headed. Treat yourself fairly by focusing on your education, going to college and planning a future that excites you. Then, you’ll know the right guy for you.