Dear Auntie Linda, August 31, 2015

Dear Auntie Linda,  My fifteen year old daughter is just darling.   In fact, it pains me to see, she looks better than I do in my clothes  I have always been the cutest and most petite girl in our circle of friends.  I hate to admit it, but I am jealous of my own daughter.  When I see the attention she gets, I snap at her and make snide remarks.  I am ashamed to say, I have even flirted with her boyfriends.  I hate myself for this.  How do I stop this?  Sweet Thing

Dear Sweet Thing, Make a point to dress like a mother, not a teenager.  When your daughter has friends over, don’t hang around and entertain them.  Just meet them and be available.  Resist the temptation to compete.  You will do irreparable damage and humiliate your daughter and yourself if you throw yourself at her friends. Frankly, though you may think you look fifteen, assuredly, you do not.  Act your age, not your libido.  It would be very easy to let your hormones get the best of you and wreck your life.  Auntie Linda

Dear Auntie Linda,  I live in the Northeast.  My neighbors have two dachshunds they keep in the backyard all year round.  The dogs bark incessantly, not to mention, they have to contend with deep snow in winter, though there is a small doghouse. This seems cruel.  I am tired of the noise and feel bad for the poor dogs.  What can be done?  Doggone Tired

Dear Doggoned Tired,  Does your town have a noise ordinance?  Try calling the police or the ASPCA.  I assume you have spoken to the neighbors about your concerns.  Auntie Linda.