End the spell cast by the mean-mouthed witch

By: Miss Lonelyhearts Posted: 4:00 AM CDT Thursday, Sep. 13, 2018

DEAR MISS LONELYHEARTS: My boyfriend has a lot of problems with his witch of a mother. Even in her late 90s, she’s as strong as an ox. The woman has selective dementia — forgetting whenever it suits her. She “forgets” the rude, unkind and profane remarks she makes to people but never forgets what she wants done for her, and at what exact time. Nothing anyone ever does for her is done right.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 13/09/2018 (2940 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

She keeps notes on her son so she knows exactly when he came over to her house, what he did or didn’t do for her while there, and when he said he’d come back. She refuses to stay in an old-folks home and has caregiver maids who come most days.

She also drinks at least a gallon of wine per week and hard stuff. I can’t stand that mean-mouthed old witch. She uses a wheelchair when she wants sympathy and for people to wait on her, but she can walk perfectly without it.

I was ready to tell her off big time yesterday, but my boyfriend led me away, saying “it won’t help.” Yes, there is a sizable inheritance at stake.

I have a mind to stop going to her house altogether. Should I?

— Way Past My Limits, Winnipeg

Dear Way Past: Stop going now, before you shoot off your mouth and lower yourself to her level. Your boyfriend can protect himself against her. No doubt she watches her mouth a bit more when you’re around, but you don’t have to be his abuse shield.

If your boyfriend started walking out when she gets nasty, she would learn there are consequences to her behaviour. When she asks him why you don’t come anymore, he should tell her plainly it’s because of her rudeness.

Once you’re free of her, you will feel better about him. When he comes back home from a visit, give him a shoulder rub so he associates the end of seeing his mad mother with relaxing with you.

Dear Miss Lonelyhearts: I met my boyfriend at the park the day before we both returned to school and it was bittersweet. I cried. We had a great summer working together, but now we’re both back at school with old school friends at opposite ends of the city. We aren’t old enough to drive yet, so we know it’s not going to be the same.

I’m afraid he will find other girls more attractive — and handier — and he is worrying the same about me.

Should we break up now? I’m scared he will cheat on me and break my heart.

— First Love, North End

Dear First Love: It’s a bad idea to torpedo a great relationship just because you’re scared your partner might fade away. You could be dead wrong.

Cellphones, Facebook and email can keep you fairly close during the week and you can get together on weekends until it doesn’t work out for one or both of you. That’s the time to break up.

It’s a lot easier to say goodbye when you’re feeling negative about a relationship.

Don’t break it off now “just in case.”

Miss Lonelyhearts
Advice Columnist

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