Advice Column:Ý Dear VA Nurse

 

Dear VA Nurse:

I am engaged to a man who has been married twice. He has a child by each of his ex-wives. He has been divorced from his first wife for seven years. They have a friendly relationship. Whenever they drop off or pick up their 9-year-old son, they spend at least 25 to 30 minutes talking. I sometimes go with him, and he will leave me in the car for that amount of time. He can't understand why I get upset. He thinks I am jealous, which I am not. I'm glad he has a good relationship with her since he doesn't with his second wife. They're always arguing over their 2-year-old.Ý Do you think I am biting off more than I can chew? -- LEFT IN THE CAR IN DES MOINES

 

Dear Left in the Car:

Although it is my job as an advice columnist to give my perspective on situations about which people write me, I donít really feel like doing that today.Ý Better luck next time.

-VA Nurse

 

DEAR VA Nurse:

I was married two weeks ago. Every morning, my new husband gets up at 5:30 and goes to his mother's house (where he was living before) to eat breakfast and get ready for work.Ý He eats dinner at his mom's every night and stays there overnight on Friday and Saturday.Ý This is becoming exasperating because I rarely see him, and he isn't paying his share of our bills.Ý Please help me. I'm going broke. -- BRIDE ON THE BRINK IN MECHANICSVILLE, MD

 

Dear Bride on the Brink:

I donít really have a good answer for you.Ý I would, however, strongly recommend that you take up chain smoking to ease your pain.

-VA Nurse

 

DEAR VA Nurse:

Last week I turned in a history paper at school. I procrastinated until the last minute and plagiarized someone else's work off the Internet. The odds are my teach will not find out about it. However, I have a feeling that I will eventually get caught, receive a failing grade, and it will go on my permanent school record.Ý The thought of being found out is ruining my sleep and my social life. Is there any way I can rid myself of this horrible feeling of guilt? -- COPYCAT ON CAMPUS

 

Dear Copycat:

I would suggest a passive-aggressive strategy in which you repeatedly ignore what others have suggested and try to subvert the efforts of those around you.

-VA Nurse

 

DEAR VA Nurse: There are two nice young men working in our office. One is being married in a few months, and the other man's wife is expecting a baby around the same time.Ý Is it appropriate to give them showers? How about a combined shower? Or is the whole idea of showers for men just not done? -- CURIOUS OFFICE MATE

 

Dear Curious:

Your situation is what we in the VA nursing profession refer to as ìNone of my fucking concern.îÝ I would suggest trying to work that out yourself.

-VA Nurse