In problem page edition 15 of 2018 from your online relationship coach – when your 16 year old son refuses to shower, when you don’t trust your dentist, when they’re spreading indecent rumours about you at work and how to tell your current girlfriend you got another girl pregnant.
Photo by Alexandra Seinet on Unsplash
If you would like any advice, just message me or add a comment at the end of this post and I will answer selected questions on this problem page.
Here are the questions for problem page edition 15.
Q: Why does my mom think she has the right to tell me when to shower? I’m 16 and I don’t smell and I already shower at least once a week; she wants me to shower almost every second day.
A: Because you need to shower every day. You may not think you smell but odds are others do.
It takes 5 minutes to shower if that.
Part of growing up, unfortunately, is learning that as our bodies change we start to secrete odours – particularly from our armpits and genitals.
Seriously – you don’t want to be the one everyone avoids in hot weather do you?
And being a bit pongy is seriously offputting to the opposite sex.
To be frank, I think your mum is going easy on you.
Q: My ex is asking for all the gifts she gave me when we were together. Should I give them back?
A: Legally they’re yours so if you really want to keep them then you don’t have to.
Are you sure she just isn’t trying to find an excuse to see you again?
To be frank, if you don’t want her in your life, then the simplest thing to do is to give them back.
You don’t want things that remind you of her hanging about do you?
If you cheated on her, though, and that’s the reason you split, then I’m not surprised she wants her stuff back.
The kindest thing to do is to return it.
Q: How do you deal with people when someone has spread an indecent rumour about you in the workplace?
A: If there is absolutely no truth in it then you go to HR/management, explain the situation and let them deal with it. This kind of behaviour is bullying and the person spreading the rumour needs to be confronted and told to stop.
I wouldn’t try to handle it yourself as that is giving in to the bully. A dignified silence or laughing it off would be the best response in the first instance.
But talk to your manager. Don’t be embarrassed. That’s what the bully is banking on.
If you want to keep your job I would not make any more fuss and think very carefully about posting job-related stuff in future.
If you have been disciplined or threatened with the sack then you should seek some legal advice from an employment lawyer.
Q: How can I make a narcissist choose between me and another female when he says it’s me he wants but he is trapped with her?
A: Leaving aside the question of whether he is truly a narcissist (in which case why would you want to be in a relationship with him), it’s pretty clear he has already made his choice of the ‘other female supply’ as you put it.
He isn’t ‘trapped’ with her. He is a free-thinking adult perfectly capable of choosing which woman he wants to be with.
I’m guessing he’s telling you it’s you he wants so he gets attention (and, but I’m hoping not, sex).
I’m sure you know you are being royally played.
If you really want him tell him it’s decision time and you’ll not hang around any longer.
Sadly, I don’t think you’ll see him for dust.
A: Your boyfriend is behaving like a stroppy teenager. I’m not sure how old you both are but, seriously, do you want to date a man or a child?
You don’t say, however, what the ‘important conversation’ you wanted was about. If you are putting pressure on him, nagging, or interrogating him about other women, that may well explain why he gets in a huff and stomps off.
I have to say I think you’re wasting time with this one – and his behaviour has all the hallmarks of someone rather too fond of getting his own way and being controlling.
Q: Just found out my dentist graduated only one and a half years ago but she has been working ever since. She only has good reviews on Facebook but it makes me a bit worried that she might ruin my teeth because of her inexperience. Should I trust her?
A: One and a half years isn’t long and, of course, it depends on the skill of the individual.
It also depends on what you are asking her to do – a scale and polish? Fillings? Extractions?
It’s pretty clear you don’t trust her so the most sensible thing to do is to find another dentist, otherwise, you will be looking for faults and difficulties – and will probably find them.
I hope you enjoyed Problem Page Edition 15. You can find more dating advice from your online relationship coach in these posts:-
Dating: 11 Ways To Tell They’re Really Into You
6 Signs Your Dating Buddy Isn’t On Your Side
32 Ways To Tell They’re Just Not That Into You
Ex marketing professional turned family lifestyle blogger. I live in Cardiff with hubby Mat, Caitlin (10) and Ieuan (8).
These are relevant questions that we all ask at different times at our lives and sometimes we are all lost for the answer. So its lovely to head to your blog to see questions and answers to some of the problems which we face in life.
Some great questions there and well answered too. Wow, not washing daily can’t be pleasant. Hope my kids are not like that when they are teens.