Jeanne PhillipsDEAR ABBY: I strongly feel this is an issue many women besides me struggle with. Maybe you can offer some insight.
My husband and I have been trying to conceive without success for several years. I don’t want to reveal our struggles to friends or family, but how do you handle questions like “Why don’t you have a baby yet?” and “When are you giving me grandkids?”
The older we get, the more pointed these questions become. I don’t know how to respond. What should I say? I feel like either lying and saying I’m not ready yet or telling the truth about the possibility of never having children, although I’m sure the questioner doesn’t intend to go down the path of “Let’s discuss my fertility.” – STRUGGLING IN WEST VIRGINIA
DEAR STRUGGLING: I’m sure many of the questioners have no idea they are delving into a subject that is painful and frustrating for you. Perhaps the most diplomatic answer would be to say, “If I’m lucky enough to be expecting, I will let you know.” It shows you are open to the possibility, and it’s either going to happen or it won’t.
DEAR ABBY: My twin sister and I are juniors in high school and starting to plan to apply to colleges. It has always been assumed that we would go to the same college and be roommates. My sister still wants it this way. I, however, think it’s finally time for some separation. We’ve been “roommates” our whole lives and shared a bed until we were 14, when Mom finally let us get twin beds for our room.