Living with parents, you give up privacy
Dear Annie: I am a 25-year-old woman, still living at home while I complete my master’s degree.
Mom likes to go through my things. She went through my dresser and rearranged all my clothing. Granted, it looks very neat, but things are missing. Did she think I wasn’t going to notice? When I asked if she got rid of anything else without my permission, she replied, “You should be grateful I’ve cleaned up your mess!” She’s even gone through my car while I’ve been in class, insisting she was looking for something and didn’t want to bother me by asking where it was.
I admit I’m not the most organized person in the world, but if seeing a messy room bothers her that much, she should just close the door. Annie, should I be grateful to her, or should she respect my privacy because I’m an adult? – No Boundaries in Michigan
Dear Michigan: We think your mother is using the cleaning excuse to check up on you, but this is one of the hazards of living at home. Promise to keep your room neater if she will stay out of it. You should not give her a reason to snoop. The only other alternative is to buy a lock and use it. We also recommend you find your own place as soon as you are financially able to do so. Look into campus housing or search craigslist.org for apartments and roommates.
Dear Annie: Here are some suggestions for “Bill’s Busy Wife,” who wants to know what to do with her retiree husband:
Substitute teachers are always at a premium. Teach an adult literacy class. Call the local department for families and children and see if an elderly person needs transportation to the doctor’s office. Read to children at elementary schools.
Help serve meals at a local rescue mission. Walk dogs at the animal shelter. Call the activity director at a nursing home and ask what volunteers can do. Learn to crochet and make caps for cancer patients.
Once people find out that Bill is willing to volunteer, they’ll find jobs for him that are within his physical limitations. – Amy in Cyberspace
Dear Amy: These are terrific suggestions, and we hope Bill – and anyone else who is looking to keep busy – will check them out.