I am having some very real and disturbing issues with my in-laws. They continually ignore me, criticise me, or compare me to my husband’s previous wife. My husband was married very unhappily for five years. Thankfully there are no children from their marriage or heaven knows what issues I would be facing.

I have asked my husband to put them in their place or perhaps be a little loyal to me, but he just says to ignore them. This has been going on for three years and I can no longer ignore the issue.

Any ideas of how to tackle this? Cheers and thanks for a great column.

AGONY AUNT

WELL, it seems boys and their mums can often have complex relationships and whilst they acknowledge that their mother’s behaviour is not quite kosher, they often don’t seem to have the backbone to stand up to them.

I cannot say I understand it as I know very clearly that if my parents or family were condemning or rude to my guy, I wouldn’t need to be prompted to sort the issue out. To me it’s all about respect. Therein probably lies the issue – one must respect ones' mother no matter what? Mmm, don’t agree, but that’s how I see it.

If your husband cannot do the right thing I suggest you bring it to a head the very next time they start on you – head held high and in you go!

BOYS’ CLUB

SEEMS to us that the lad needs to stand up and be counted!