QВ Seven years ago, my husband and I divorced after he had an affair. How can I convince mum my ex has changed? Tell her that you know your niece is oversensitive but could she back down a little and allow her to be that way for a short time while she struggles?ДЄsk if it is worth taking the moral high ground and demanding an apology вЂ“ could she send out an olive branch instead? She is probably struggling with the loss of your brother too, so gently remind her how important it is that you all stick together and find a way to let arguments go. It is difficult for young women whose body clocks are ticking, but your niece is far more likely to meet the right man when she doesnвЂ™t feel so overwhelmed. She and her mum would both benefit from more support, so please encourage them to contact Marie Curie () or Cruse () for help and perhaps guidance on finding longer-term counselling. To some extent, sheвЂ™s right вЂ“ your niece is finding life tough and probably does need to develop a thicker skin.Д«ut she needs help to do this. Unfortunately, your sister does sound a bit bullish. He clearly feels protective towards his sister. Your niece needs to be granted leeway вЂ“ and I donвЂ™t blame your nephew for standing up for her. Some people are more emotional than others вЂ“ and on top of that it sounds as if she and her mum are still struggling with grief, having had their lives turned upside down. You say your niece can be a bit overemotional and hypersensitive, and itвЂ™s not surprising. ItвЂ™s heartbreaking.ДЄВ I am so sorry to hear about the death of your brother. No one will apologise and I am stuck in the middle. Now neither вЂsideвЂ™ is speaking to the other. My sister-in-law was clearly very upset too. However, my niece was in tears and her brother defended her by telling my sister to back off and be kinder. It wasnвЂ™t meant to be unkind but it was a little harsh.

My niece can be a bit emotional and oversensitive вЂ“ recently, at a family lunch, my sister suggested she needed to stand up to her colleagues and that it would be better to leave her job if she hated it that much. My sister and her husband are losing patience with her. She is also stuck in a job she hates with colleagues who ignore her opinion. My niece is now in her early 30s and desperate for babies but is still single. My sister-in-law deeply misses my brother and doesnвЂ™t seem interested in finding a new relationship. While my nephew is doing OK, with a good job and a nice girlfriend, my niece and her mum are struggling emotionally. My adored younger brother died five years ago, leaving behind a son, daughter and wife вЂ“ my lovely sister-in-law. If you have a problem, email Caroline at Caroline reads all your letters but regrets she cannot answer each one personally

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