Life Advice

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Health

Sister feels on the hook for weekend visits

By Amy Dickinson, Tribune Content Agency on

So here's what you say: "I want to be helpful, but this has gotten to be too much for us. We're going to start being very honest with you regarding staying over. If it doesn't work on any particular weekend, I'm just going to be honest and tell you." And if a two-night weekend is too much, you can say, "We can have you here for one night, but not two."

If you don't want your sister staying in your house while you're away, then don't offer it. If she pushes, you must learn to say, "That's just not going to work for us. I'm sure you'll figure something else out."

Dear Amy: My boyfriend broke up with me a few days ago. He says he still loves me, and he would still want to be friends because, I'm "too important" for him to kick me out of his life.

At first I thought maybe because he told me he loves me, I'd have a fighting chance to win him back, but every time I've brought new possibilities up, he has made himself clear and has been very assertive, sticking to his decision. I said my final goodbye to him a few moments ago and have blocked him from social media.

Now, I'm scared. I don't know what to do without him in my life. I don't want him to move on but I know that eventually he will.

I've taken steps to schedule my first therapy session because I can already tell that this is not going to be an easy road to recovery.

 

I've already joined some dance and Zumba classes. I'm going to the gym.

What else can I do to keep my mind from wondering about him and worrying about what he might be doing?

-- Hurt and Afraid

Dear Hurt: So far, you are my champion break-up survivor. I admire how proactive you are being concerning this challenge.

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