Dear Carolyn,
For some reason my parents still believe I’m going to move back home until I get married and move into my husband’s place (I’m 24). Do you have any suggestions for parents who just don’t seem to understand that I’m content to live my life by the standards I’ve discovered (and am still discovering) firsthand?
Frustrated
Dear Frustrated,
I can’t think of a more persuasive way to tell parents you’re not moving back home than not to move back home. If you want some more pointed phrasing when the issue comes up, ask them to trust that they did a good job raising you. You may get tired of deflecting the pressure, but you’ll get misty for these days when they give up and start pressing for marriage, a big wedding and kids.
Riddle me this, Carolyn:
What do you call it when the guy you are dating is very attracted to you, is great friends with you and likes to spend time with you, but isn’t sure if he is in love with you? Would “confused” be a good description? We’ve been dating only a few months and he seems to think if he isn’t “in love” by now, it ain’t going to happen. Huh?
Confused by His Confusion
Dear Confused,
You say confused, I say possibly shortsighted, he’d say self-aware. Or, tomahto. Words, words, words. You can’t debate him over to your side–he’s got to want to be there. Sounds like you both need to see if he’ll miss you.
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E-mail tellme@washpost.com.
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