Blowhard boyfriend wears out his hosts during annual trips

Dear Abby: My best friend of 40 years and her boyfriend live several states away from my husband and me. Every winter they expect to come to our home for a week. We simply can no longer do this.

Her friend is nice, but after a few days we can hardly stand it. He talks constantly and knows everything. How can I tell my friend that we can’t accommodate them without ending our friendship? — Weary Out West

Dear Weary: Try this. When your old friend mentions coming to visit, tell her you aren’t up to having houseguests. If she asks why, and she probably will, say you’re not as young as you used to be — it’s true. Neither am I. Tell her you can accommodate them for a weekend. If that doesn’t work, say your husband isn’t up for company. (Also true.) However, if neither excuse suffices, you may have to choose between telling your friend the truth or saying you plan to be out of town.

Dear Abby: For mothers out there who wonder why their “wonderful” grown daughters don’t have boyfriends, maybe it is because they are too dependent on

you. No guy wants a woman who calls /texts her mom multiple times a day (unless she is ill).

Men want confident women, not girls still tied to their mother’s apron strings. If you want your daughter to

find a man, teach her to make her own decisions! — Hates Meddling Mothers

Dear Hates: I have long advised young women how important it is to gain independence before becoming romantically involved with anyone. I agree that women who can stand on their own two feet are more appealing.

Dear Abby: I recently received an invitation to a dear friend’s grandson’s 5th birthday party. In lieu of gifts, donations were requested to a choice of politically affiliated “charitable” organizations. I cannot, in good conscience, support any of them.

What’s the appropriate course of action here? I really don’t want to get into any political discussions, and I think there would be hurt feelings if I don’t show up. —

In A Bind

Dear In A Bind: What a shame that a child’s party was used as an excuse for a political fundraiser. I can’t imagine any 5-year-old being “thrilled” to receive a political donation as a birthday gift.

However, I do think a gift is in order. Make it something a 5-year-old will enjoy, have it delivered, and find an excuse not to attend if you feel it will devolve into something you prefer to avoid. Hurt feelings or not, you are not obligated to go.