DEAR ABBY: My husband and I have been happily married for 23 years and have two children. Is it OK for my mother-in-law to tell my husband something and demand that he not tell me? The “secret” is: His sister, who has two children, is getting divorced.
We don’t see either of them often, and there has never been a time when we were on bad terms or gossiped about his family. His mom is just very secretive. I have nobody to share that news with and, honestly, I don’t judge the situation. My husband told me the news immediately and was upset his mom asked him not to tell me. We don’t think it was right. We are a team. Do you agree? – HATES SECRETS
DEAR HATES SECRETS: Do not blame your “secretive” mother-in-law for this. The minute she said to your “teammate” that she had something to tell him but he shouldn’t share it with you, his response should have been, “Then keep it to yourself, Mom, because my wife and I don’t keep secrets from each other; we’re a team.” Please share this with your husband so he can keep it in his repertoire for the next time it happens, because I’m positive there will be a next time.
DEAR ABBY: I am a 60-year-old male who is educated, successful, healthy and in good physical condition. I have been divorced a long time, and although I have a normal dating life, I haven’t been in a relationship for a couple of years.
I have been blessed with wonderful friends. The issue is, they are all married, and I find I am no longer invited to events, outings and get-togethers like I was when I had a partner. I know my friends enjoy my company, but when they make plans, they think only about inviting other couples.