Dear LFTP: the sister's belongings in the garage
- My sister's belongings are still in my garage and starting to smell — what should I do?
A letter from a woman whose formerly incarcerated sister's belongings — stored in her garage 'for a couple of weeks' — have sat there for months and started to smell, while the sister won't communicate or take responsibility. The hosts say she is overreacting about the space but has every right to draw a hard line; they advise protecting the keepsakes the sister may regret losing while junking the rest, and warn against using consequences to teach lessons — 'you're not the teacher' — since the desire to turn the screw creates something dark in the person holding the power. The segment closes with comedy about junk-removal prices versus roping a friend with a pickup truck. The Secular answer suggests a deadline followed by a junk-removal service.
More on Boundaries
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Dear LFTP: the mother-in-law moved in
- My mother-in-law moved in seven months ago and it’s been difficult — how can we sort this out?
The last letter comes from a wife whose mother-in-law moved in seven months ago with no boundaries, rising bills, unpaid prescriptions, and open disrespect.
From No. 604 · Rearview Mirror
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Dear LFTP: Ralph calls three or four times a week
- How can I get my retired friend Ralph to call less frequently without being rude?
The letter: 'Ralph,' a longtime best friend, retired and is bored, so he calls three or four times a week 'even when there's nothing new to talk about,' rehashing the same things; subtle hints haven't worked; letting it go to voicemail just earns a callback request.
From No. 602 · Relationship Counseling
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Dear LFTP: the senior-living handshake letter, and the close
- How can a senior-living resident politely decline the dining-room manager's handshakes?
Mike reads the second Dear LFTP letter: a senior-living resident whose dining-room manager (Manny) shakes hands at residents' tables, and who dodges with wet or greasy hands — how to decline politely?
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Dear LFTP: the fiance who games until 5AM
- What should the letter-writer do about her fiance's all-night gaming habit?
Mike reads a Dear LFTP letter from a woman engaged five years to Dustin, who games from 10PM to 5AM, skips chores, and gives her no attention; talking has not helped since 'he grew up gaming.'
From No. 598 · Emphasis | Accountability, Worship and Praying with Strangers