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Dear Annie: My husband has recently become obsessed with Twitter. He spends hours a day on his computer away from his family. I’ve supported this unusual hobby until recently.
I noticed he and another female Tweeter calling each other “besties,” and they have cute nicknames for each other. I confronted my husband about it, and he told me that it was just for the “audience” and that I’m being jealous.
After more digging, I found some personal messages between them where he tells her how amazing she is and how he can’t wait to grow with her. Not only that, but he also said some very negative and inappropriate things about me -- his wife -- to this random woman.
I’m devastated and humiliated. What should I do?! -- Naive Wife?
Dear Naive Wife: Having an online outlet to explore interests and make friends is one thing; crossing boundaries and disrespecting your partner is another. Even if your husband were a major social media influencer, it wouldn’t excuse putting down his wife or fostering this kind of relationship with another woman for an “audience.”
Don’t let him dismiss your feelings as jealousy. Tell him plainly that his relationship with this woman -- and especially the way he’s spoken about you to her -- has damaged your trust and humiliated you. Then ask what he’s willing to do to repair that damage. A couple’s counselor can help you both address what’s happened and begin rebuilding what’s been broken.
Dear Annie: My daughter, now a married adult with a son, and I have always had a good relationship. I’ve helped her in all the important moments of her life, including her studies, which I financed, her wedding and the birth of her son. Today she is in a good financial position, and she and her husband live comfortably.
The one rough spot in our relationship is politics. During the last election, she tried to convince me to vote for her party. She is a Democrat. I didn’t vote this way as I am a Republican, and I have different opinions. I know she has friends who feed her political beliefs, and now she thinks my family and I are her enemies because we don’t believe the same things she does. Because of this, she has cut ties with me and doesn’t allow me to have a relationship with my grandson.
What do you think about this situation? -- Politically Estranged
Dear Politically Estranged: Yours is a sad situation and an increasingly common one. I’ve received letters from readers on both sides of the political aisle who feel the same heartache you do. You have beliefs you’re not willing to walk away from, and the same is true of your daughter.
Instead of focusing on the political divide between you, focus on the relationship you hope to rebuild. Send her a short letter telling her you love and miss her and your grandson, and that you’re always there if she ever wants to talk. Don’t debate, defend or try to change her mind.
Give her some space and time, but keep the door open. Hopefully, one day, she’ll walk back through it.
“Out of Bounds: Estrangement, Boundaries and the Search for Forgiveness” is out now! Annie Lane’s third anthology is for anyone who has lived with anger, estrangement or the deep ache of being wronged -- because forgiveness isn’t for them. It’s for you. Visit http://www.creatorspublishing.com for more information. Follow Annie Lane on Instagram at @dearannieofficial. Send your questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@creators.com. COPYRIGHT 2026 CREATORS.COM