FRIENDS, FAMILY, LANDLORDS – THEY’RE ALL PROBLEMATIC THIS WEEK!

QMy Aunty Margaret is really wealthy and doesn’t have to work. We used to see her all the time and she was my sister’s favourite aunt. My sister had a baby six months ago and is going through a really tough time as her husband left her after she gave birth to her daughter Polly. Is it okay for me to approach Margaret and ask her to help out? I feel like family should come together at times like these but she hasn’t offered. The last time we saw her was at Mum’s funeral two years ago. CAROLINE, VIA EMAIL.

ABefore you approach your aunty, consider the fact you haven’t seen her for two years. There is no harm in telling her how tough your sister’s life is, but don’t expect a handout. Your sister is in a difficult situation and needs all the help she can get, but talk over your plan to approach your aunty – your sister may not be keen on making Aunty Margaret feel she needs to hand over money. There are plenty of organisations out there to help young mums and the local council has several avenues to assist families in need. If you do decide to go ahead and ask your aunt for help, do not expect her to be sympathetic. She may have a lot of money, but might not be keen on helping someone she hasn’t bothered to contact for two years.

QWe’re a family of six and our landlady also happens to be our next-door neighbour. She’s constantly popping her head over the fence and asking us abut the lawn and our vegie patch. I think she is making hints that she thinks we should do more to the garden as her lawn looks like Wimbledon, but I’m busy looking after my four kids and don’t have time to do much more than a bit of weeding. Can I tell her we want our privacy? I don’t want to have to move, and I don’t want to be rude as she’s our landlady, but what can I do? SUZANNE, VIA EMAIL.

AIt’s no fun living next door to your landlady. When she peers over the fence, excuse yourself and rush inside. Or just ignore her – she might get the message. You could ask your landlady for more privacy but she sounds like a busybody and is likely to be offended. Not sure how old your children are, but perhaps one of the older ones could look after the vegie patch? Or maybe you could organise a family working bee to tidy up the garden? It’s important to your budget, so roll up your sleeves and get everyone to join in.

QMy best friend is always complaining about her boss. She constantly moans about how the boss puts her down all the time and gives her work to do at 5pm when she is about to go home. I told her she should quit, but she says she needs the money. I’m tired of listening to her complaining (for over a year) and just wish she could be happy. SASHA, ORANGE, NSW.

AA year of whingeing is enough. Your friend needs to look for another job as her boss is expecting too much. Tell her not to resign until she has found a more suitable occupation, and in the meantime change the subject if she starts complaining – or be honest and point out she sounds like a broken record. She either accepts the boss she has now, or she needs to move on.