Man puts out a welcome mat only for his side of the family

DEAR ABBY: My husband and I have been married 10 years, and he treats my family and friends very different compared to how he treats his own.

A few months ago, my sister called me at 9 p.m. She was driving through on her way to Florida with her seven-year-old daughter and had been trying for an hour to find a hotel at that point. We were only 40 minutes away, so I told her she could stay the night with us. When I told my husband afterward, he flipped out because I didn’t ask his permission first.

I have never invited anyone to stay with us before. My family lives far away, but I didn’t think it was a big deal to extend the invite because he constantly tells his family and friends they are always welcome. Today he informed me his son is coming to stay a week with his wife and sixmonth-old (two weeks from now!).

Am I wrong to feel that if there is a rule, it should apply to both of us, and he should have asked me first? – HOUSE RULES IN FLORIDA

DEAR HOUSE RULES: Because your husband is such a stickler for “asking permission” before inviting relatives to stay, that same courtesy should have been extended to you.

House rules are supposed to be followed by everyone who lives in the household. There seems to be an imbalance of power in yours. Be smart. Talk with a licensed counselor about how to deal with your husband.