Beau, Mom dislike each other
DEAR AMY: My boyfriend and I have been dating for a year and a half. We’re both 32 years old.
I live at home with my divorced mother. He lives alone two hours away. We see each other every couple of weeks.
I plan to move closer to him. I have a successful career and I don’t want to quit unless I have another job lined up. We want to wait until after marriage to live together.
My family doesn’t quite approve of him because they feel he doesn’t meet their religious standards. I’m comfortable with how my boyfriend and I share our faith. We are loving and supportive.
My boyfriend thinks my mother controls my life. He thinks she is too intrusive, and that I need to do something about it.
My mother is old-fashioned. She distrusts my boyfriend who, she says, doesn’t visit often enough, and never told her what his intentions are. She worries that I will suffer the “same mistakes” she has made and that my boyfriend will tear me away from my family.
I love my mother, but I realize she needs to let go. I worry that she will come between us and that she will blame him for my muchneeded independence.
Torn and in Love
DEAR TORN: The individuals on either side of this family drama want to use you to control the other, but they’re both trying to control you.
You need to figure out how you feel about your own life and choices. You will then have to convey, plainly and clearly, to your mother and your boyfriend where the boundaries are.
Then you must patrol these borders with the fortitude of a crossing guard, and nab anyone who violates your boundary.
At 32, you still live with your mother. This choice keeps your life intimately entwined with hers. The dynamic should change, if it causes problems for you.
Also, tell her, “Mom, enough. You’ve already told me your thoughts about my boyfriend. I hear you, but your continued criticism is unwelcome. You’re not dating him — I am.”
To your boyfriend, say, “You could make my life easier by trying harder. Please don’t tell me how to relate to her. You need to concentrate on how you relate to her.”
DEAR AMY: I attended a birthday party for a friend’s mom a month ago. This is a fairly new friend, and I was delighted to be invited. I looked long and hard for the perfect gift and card. I brought my gift to the party and placed it on the gift table.
It’s been a month and no one has mentioned the gift or the card. I expected that she would text me when she opened it.
I want to know that it didn’t get lost.
Confused Gift Giver DEAR CONFUSED: Contact the mom. Tell her that you really enjoyed spending time with her on her birthday.
Then say, “This is embarrassing but I am worried that you might not have received my gift and card. Can you let me know?” Send questions to askamy@ tribune.com or Ask Amy, Chicago Tribune, TT500, 435 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611.