A woman is accused by her family of stealing her sister’s wedding ring but insists she returned it after it was taken off due to swelling in her sister’s hands. The ring was a significant piece as it had belonged to their late father, and the woman is now contemplating whether to keep her distance from her family due to the accusation. Dear Abby advises her to confirm the truth with her sister and avoid her accusers for the sake of her mental well-being until the situation is resolved.
Another person writes to Dear Abby seeking advice on how to deal with their partner’s mother who has left her personal items in their home after moving out. Despite having packed some of her belongings, the woman is overwhelmed by the amount of stuff left and the uncertainty of when it will be removed. The partner’s mother also has control issues, causing further tension. Dear Abby suggests calling the mother and setting a firm deadline for her to retrieve her items, even if it means having a moving company deliver them to her at her own expense.
The situation is complicated by the strained relationship between the partner and his mother, making it difficult to address the issue. The writer feels that the partner should have set clear expectations when they bought the home two years ago. His mother’s hoarding tendencies have caused stress and anxiety for the writer, who is desperate for a resolution. Dear Abby’s advice is to take control of the situation by communicating directly with the mother and establishing a timeline for the removal of her belongings, giving her ample time to make arrangements for storage if necessary.
The writer’s partner’s mother, who is estranged from her husband, had initially planned to stay with them after they bought her home but ended up reuniting with her spouse instead. This decision left the writer and her partner dealing with the aftermath of her move, including sorting through her items still present in their home. The writer expresses frustration and a sense of desperation as they seek a solution to the problem created by the mother’s failure to remove her personal belongings from their living space.
Dear Abby provides practical advice for handling the situation by taking charge of the removal process and setting a deadline for the mother to retrieve her items. While the mother may not appreciate being given an ultimatum, it is necessary for the well-being of the writer and her partner to establish boundaries and clear expectations. By initiating this conversation and making arrangements for the removal of the mother’s belongings, the writer can regain control over their living space and reduce the stress caused by the unresolved situation.
