THE DAVIS ENTERPRISE
Controlling husband cutting off my friends Dear Annie: I’m currently in recovery. I have had two years of being clean and sober, after 13 long, miserable years of addiction. I have a full-time job that I love and am advancing, in my own place, and just live a good, “normal” life. I am quite happy in my current state and have made peace with my past. I’ve realized it was a tough lesson but one that has made me a better person today for having experienced it. However, during my active addiction, I married someone who was also an addict. We had been friends for several years, and it just seemed to naturally progress to the point where we wanted to have a life together. Two weeks after we got married, both he and I went to jail. I’ve since done my time and completely changed my life. My husband is still in prison. I have thought seriously about getting divorced, as we were both actively using throughout our entire relationship. He says he has changed and wants to live life without using, but I am terrified that he will get out and start getting high. I don’t want to live that lifestyle and am not willing to put my recovery in jeopardy. I can’t even truly say I still love him, and he doesn’t even know this new person that I have grown to become. Should I follow through with the divorce? Or see what happens when he gets out? — Recovering but Conflicted Dear Recovering but Conflicted: When he says he has changed, what exactly does he mean? People speak louder with their actions than their words. Your recovery should remain your number one priority. Anything that takes you away from that has got to go, and if your husband will not stay sober, that means him as well. ——— Dear Annie: I have to object to your language about how grandchildren “intuitively” love their grandparents in your note to “Family Scapegoat.” Unless the grandparents are the children’s primary attachment, there is no rea-
EMPLOYMENT Full-Time Care Provider Position Must speak English & Mandarin Chinese, drive, cook, clean, and care for elderly female with limited mobility. Responsible applicants only. Room/Board and hourly rate.
Call (916) 952-0406
Legals@DavisEnterprise.net son for children to connect with them except as a reflection of the parent’s relationship with the grandparents. Saying otherwise is outdated and not in line with attachment theory. Parents should be allowed to cut unhealthy and unsafe relationships out of their children’s lives — even if those relationships are familial. — Unimpressed by Greatness Dear Unimpressed: You are correct, and if a grandparent’s behavior is unhealthy or unsafe, they should be kept away from their grandchildren. But if the issue is not so black and white, and the behavior is more annoying than unsafe, then the parents should set boundaries for the interactions rather than cut them off altogether. ——— Dear Annie: I’ve been married for 14 years now, and we have three kids. My husband is constantly wanting me all to himself. Whenever I make friends and we try to hang out, he has an issue with it. He makes mean comments about me caring about my friendship more than my family. He thinks that once you get married, you no longer need friends and everything should be about him and the kids. I need personal time and believe it’s healthy to have different friends. How can I help him understand this? Or is the marriage doomed? — Fed Up in North Carolina Dear Fed Up: I don’t blame you. It sounds like you are more in a jail than a
marriage. Personal time is very important, and having friends is very healthy for you and every member of your family. He sounds incredibly controlling. Don’t let him control you. Go out with your friends if you want to, and if he makes mean comments, then know that he is just threatened by them and trying to manipulate you. Don’t let him. Do what makes you happy — because happy people have good marriages and are good parents. Unhappy people, who feel controlled and caged, tend to become sad and not good role models for their children.
Sister dating a felon Dear Annie: My mother died at the age of 67 from COVID-19 last January. My stepfather wanted to wait a year to have the memorial so everyone could attend. Since my mother’s death, my stepfather has remarried. Yup, remarried. And now his new wife has moved into the house. My stepfather is now say-
ing everything in the house is his and is being resistant about allowing me or my brothers into the house to get my mother’s belongings that are sentimental to us. My mom, unfortunately, did not have a will. What do we do? — Remarried after Death Dear Remarried: First, I’m so very sorry for the loss of your mother. Sixty-seven is too young, and I’m sure you miss her every day. Try to be happy that your stepfather has found another companion; everybody grieves at their own pace. Inheritance laws vary state by state, so the best thing you can do is consult a lawyer. I would give your stepfather the heads-up that you are doing this; it might persuade him to let you into the house and take items of sentimental value before getting lawyers involved. And remember: No matter who lives in that house, no one will ever replace your mother. ——— Dear Annie: My sister has recently become involved with an old high school boyfriend. Our family had issues with him 30 years ago. He now lives across the country from her. Recently, she went out to visit with him for a week, and she took her 21-year-
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2021 B5
old daughter and daughter’s boyfriend with her. We did some checking before she left. He was convicted of rape and assault about 10 years ago and served five years of a 16-year sentence. I confronted her, and she says she has known about it for years. I found some jailhouse letters from him when I cleaned her car. She has a 21-year-old daughter and a 16-year-old daughter. They both feel that if he makes her happy, so be it. They both know about his criminal record. The family has told her he will not be allowed around any of us for any family events. She is hinting he might move around here. She is hoping for a long-term relationship with him. She has no selfconfidence. She’s shy. She says he’s a changed man and that he was set up and drunk when the crimes were committed. We are really worried about this. He has abused other women, according to trial records. Help. — Terrified for Sister’s Safety Dear Terrified: Your concerns are valid. Regardless
of whether he was “set up” or “drunk,” he is a convicted criminal with a history of violence against women. This, combined with your family’s disapproval of him 30 years ago, is evidence enough that the man he used to be is not worthy of welcoming into your family. And from your letter, it sounds like he’s not much better today. The fact that he’s giving your sister excuses shows he hasn’t owned up to the pain he’s caused. A second chance is already a big ask, and your sister shouldn’t even consider it unless he takes accountability and proves he’s taking steps to becoming a new, better man. You can also explain to your sister that dating a felon could jeopardize the custody she has of her 16-year-old daughter, assuming the father is still in the picture. Remember, forgiveness is one of the most powerful gifts we can offer — but it would be foolish to give it to someone who hasn’t earned it. Send your questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@ creators.com.