Ask Auntie Linda, October, 19, 2015

Dear Auntie Linda, I am forty-eight year old widow.  My adopted son will be getting out of prison soon after serving seventeen years for sexual assault and murder.  He is a psychopath.  My husband and I were good parents but Joey had problems from the start. We always knew he would do something horrible and were afraid of him.  My husband died of cancer less than a year after Joey went to prison.  I moved to escape the shame and pain of Joey’s crime.  I am afraid of him and never want to see him again.  Joey has written to family wanting to know where I am.  So far, no one has told him, but I know it is only a matter of time till he tracks me down.  I have a good job and life now and don’t want to move.  What do I do?  Scared Mama

Dear Scared.  Ask to be notified by the prison when Joey is to be released.  It might be best to move and change jobs and notify only family who can be trusted since you fear Joey.  Ask the police for advice.  Auntie Linda

Dear Auntie Linda, My parents are in their late sixties.  My brother who has Cerebral Palsy lives with them.  He requires a great deal of assistance.  My father has always been verbally and emotionally abusive to my mother, but now his health is failing.  Mother is caring for two wheel-chair bound adults.  Dad gets meaner by the day.  He refuses to let Home-Health assist with care for either him or my brother, though their care is working Mom to death.  Last week, the brakes went out on the car and Dad refused to put it in the shop.  He sat in his wheelchair and talked Mom through the repair.  He won’t listen to me. Mom is so emotionally battered she can’t stick up for herself.   Where do I turn?  Hopeless

Dear Hopeless, If your father won’t see reason, tell him you will contact Adult Protection, then do it!