May 1, 2021 Issue, Page 5 of 10

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5 May 1, 2021 Activities Couple clashes over time spent with sons emotionally. DEAR ABBY: I love my grown Dear Abby children and grandchildren, DEAR ABBY: I have been but I hate it when they come DEAR ABBY: My wife and I married nine years. My hus- “home” for a week or more. My have been married five years band doesn’t allow me to leave house gets turned upside down and are raising four children. the house without him. He and inside out, and I end up One is from my previous rela- makes sure I don’t have a car or losing my temper. Then I feel tionship, one is from her pre- access to the one we have. He like an awful mother. I sug- vious relationship and two are tells me he doesn’t mean any- ours. We both have joint custo- gested we all meet somewhere thing by it, but if I try to take dy. My son goes to school near else, but it didn’t go over well. a walk alone, he is right on my his mom. My wife’s son goes to Help! -- INVADED IN NORTH heels. school where we live. They are DAKOTA If I go anywhere with my sis- 9 and 8. ter or a friend, I must wait un- There’s a lot of tension be- DEAR INVADED: Your sug- til he is gone. If he gets home tween us because my stepson’s gestion may not have gone father isn’t the greatest par- before I do, he’s sitting on the porch waiting for me. He is not over well with your children ent. He never comes to school physically abusive, but I feel and grandchildren, but that events or sporting events, so like a prisoner. I have told him doesn’t mean you shouldn’t he misses half of everything. I regularly attend my son’s several times how it makes me “suggest” it again. And when events, which are a couple of feel, but he doesn’t seem to get you do, make sure they under- hours away and take time away it. I really need some advice. -- stand you are saying it because from my stepson. I put my TRAPPED IN GEORGIA when they visit they leave your 9-year-old first because he’s home in disarray, which cre- my firstborn, and I have him DEAR TRAPPED: Your hus- ates more work for you than less. My wife disagrees with band doesn’t get it because he you are comfortable doing. Un- this, and we fight about it con- doesn’t WANT to. What he is less they are willing to make stantly. I believe I am doing the doing is NOT a demonstration sure your home is as neat when right thing. Advice, please. -- of love or concern for your safe- they leave as when they ar- WONDERING IN WISCONSIN ty. It’s an example of his own rived, enough is enough. insecurity and need to control DEAR WONDERING: I’m you. This is a big red flag, and my advice is to call the Nation- Dear Abby is written by Abi- sorry your wife’s son’s father al Domestic Violence Hotline gail Van Buren, also known hasn’t stepped up to the plate. But please do not allow your and discuss this with someone as Jeanne Phillips, and was wife to interfere with your re- there because what’s happen- founded by her mother, Pau- lationship with your son. You ing could escalate into abuse. line Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or Crossword ARE doing the right thing by The toll-free phone number is: showing an interest in what (800) 799-7233. P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, he’s doing and supporting him CA 90069. Current puzzle answers Get Fuzzy Drabble Dailies Pearls Before Swine Garfield Dilbert