Obaa Yaa
My mother is misbehaving
Dear Obaa Yaa,
I am 26 and I live in the same house with my mother who is becoming annoying. She doesn’t do anything at home and she is not making things easier for me either. She doesn’t give me room to communicate with her. She wakes up, eats her breakfast and leaves for work.
Lately, she appears to be very forgetful. Many a time, she would leave food on the stove and forget that she has left something there until the food gets burnt. When l complain she insults me.
This behaviour of hers seems to be getting worse. She has refused to take any advice too. I am worried. Is there anything I can do?
Vivian, Nkawkaw.
Dear Vivian,
You did not state your mother’s age but it appears she may be entering into another phase of her life. It may not be her fault. About her becoming forgetful, she may be suffering from dementia or other neurological condition. You can help her seek medical attention.
Talk to her on her calm or happy days and don’t react when she does anything that upsets you. Remain vigilant when she leaves anything on fire so that she doesn’t end up burning down the house.
Again, do your best to help her with some tasks, and get closer to her more as she may eventually open up about her challenges.
Obaa Yaa
They get on my nerves
Dear Obaa Yaa,
Both my wife and I are middle school leavers, but because her brothers are overseas, she goes abroad regularly. Because of that she has joined a certain class of people who believe that my wife is better educated than I am and therefore, look down on me.
The way she sometimes communicates with me is so annoying and makes me feel sad.
I overheard one of them asking my wife how she could marry an illiterate like me, and surprisingly she laughed at it as if it was a huge joke. When I confronted my wife afterwards, she denied everything.
I don’t want to divorce my wife, but her friends get on my nerves.
Please advise me.
Kwaku Teye, Konogo
Dear Kwaku Teye,
The current state of your wife is making her feel she is better than you. I can imagine how you feel. It is not fair for your wife to encourage her friends to make derogatory remarks about you.
However, do not make an issue out of it, especially as your wife has denied it.
I will advise you to talk to your wife to stay away from her friends if she really needs her marriage.
I will also plead with you to further your education if you have the means and resources.
Obaa Yaa
My friend has taken over my girl friend
Dear Obaa Yaa,
Sometime ago, I met a pretty girl, but I was too shy to approach her, so I asked a friend to talk to her on my behalf.
My friend came back and told me that after talking to the girl, he learned that she was no good so I should forget about her.
My friend, who is a born again, is always in the girl’s company. When I tackled him about it the first time, he told me that he was trying to get her to change.
They are almost inseparable now and my friend has been avoiding me. I want to confront him in the presence of the girl and embarrass him.
Will I be justified in my action?
Opoku Oware, Accra.
Dear Opoku Oware,
I WOULD not resort to any confrontations if I were you; it will only make you more miserable.
Admittedly, your friend did not behave well because in a way, he has betrayed you.
But don’t forget that he was under no obligation to chat up the girl for you, so don’t blame him.
The next time you see a girl that you fancy, just teem up confidence and boldness and walk up to her.
