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Ask Amy: Reader weighs in on anti-male bias

By Amy Dickinson, Tribune Content Agency on

We are wondering: What goes on there? Why would someone rent a house and not live in it? What can we do?

-- Concerned Neighbor

Dear Neighbor: It's not quite clear from your question whether these groups are staying in the house overnight. If they are, a likely (and logical) explanation is that the house's owners are renting it out to groups via a rental site such as Airbnb, HomeAway or VRBO. Do you live near a major city that draws tourists and out-of-town visitors? If so, groups may rent out this house as a less expensive and convenient alternative to hotels. It wouldn't be too hard to figure out if this house is listed as a per/day rental property. If so, this would also explain the security systems in place at the home.

I don't want to discount the possibility that there might be criminal activity happening at this house. Crimes do occur in peaceful suburban neighborhoods, and if you suspect this house is being used for human or other trafficking purposes, you should definitely notify the police, as well as your town's governing boards.

Dear Amy: For "Wanting More," the mother who wants more children, I'll paraphrase JFK: Ask not what your family can do for you, but what you can do for your family.

It is not the kids' job to complete the parents' life, but rather the other way around.

It sounds like adding a third child would make it more challenging for her husband to continue being a wonderful dad.

 

For the sake of her marriage, Wanting needs to learn how to love what she already has.

-- Reader

Dear Reader: Agreed.

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(You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or Facebook.)


 

 

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