Siblings come to visit, but not with family

Dear Abby: I have a problem I haven’t seen in your column before. My husband comes from a large family with siblings spread far and wide. We live in the home state and are happy to accommodate his brothers and sisters (families, dogs) when they come home to visit and ask to stay with us.

While it’s never said openly, it quickly becomes clear that the purpose of their visit is to do activities with people other than my husband and me. In the past, we cleared our calendars and expected to entertain and feed these visitors. It becomes awkward when they unexpectedly leave for events with other people — once a Christmas Eve dinner! Advice? — Awkward in the Midwest

Dear Awkward: Do not be confrontational, but when plans are being made for the next visit, you and your husband should ask his relatives which days you should expect to entertain them. That way you won’t needlessly clear your calendar.

Dear Abby: My iancee, “Mia,” lost her dad two years ago, and her mother recently announced to the family that she is seeing someone. She has been staying over at his house, and she is planning to sell her home and move in with him. Mia is very upset about it.

Her mom is now in the process of getting rid of her father’s belongings. She feels like her mom is erasing her father from their lives. How long should her mother have waited? Is Mia being sel ish? — Going Forward in the East

Dear Going: I hesitate to call your iancee sel ish as much as self-CENTERED. Her mother has waited a respectful amount of time. She isn’t erasing her late husband as much as going on with hers, which is healthy.