Dear Abby: My sister isn’t speaking to me because I was speaking to her daughter

Published On: August 12, 2025

Greetings, AbbyDue to a falling out, my sister Jenny and I no longer communicate. She is angry with me because she discovered that Paisley, her adult daughter, had moved out without informing anyone.

When Paisley sent some letters to my home and later disclosed that she had moved across the nation, I found out. After a heated dispute six months ago, Jenny and Paisley stopped communicating and were no-contact. I had communication with both. I got a clear message from Paisley that she didn’t want to interact with her mother.

Jenny blocked Paisley, so I asked her if she wanted me to tell her mother that she had relocated. “No,” she said. Paisley’s mail was also sent to Mom’s house, and Mom assumed she was still in town, thus our mom found out. When Mom told Jenny, Jenny threw a fit at me. I believed I was fulfilling everyone’s wishes. Was I the story’s antagonist?– Located in Kentucky.

DEAR CONFOUNDED: Nothing was wrong with you. You were handy, so your sister exploded on you. Although it’s unfortunate that your sister and her daughter were unable to patch things up, you are not at fault.

There seems to be a lot of dysfunction in the family, so it may have been best for Paisley to move away from it. You should not put up with being called a villain since you are not one.

My spouse won t quiet her phone and attacks me when I ask

Greetings, Abby While we are in the same room, my spouse is constantly scrolling through video posts on her phone. She rarely puts her earphones on, even though I have instructed her to do so.

I now just switch off the television and wait for her to stop, sometimes for as long as a few hours. I’m afraid to tell her how annoying this is. I’ve attempted to enter other rooms, but her scrolling gibberish has made me feel confined in my own house.

She shuts me down on this topic by pointing out all of my flaws when I try to talk to her. Any recommendations?– In Ohio, I’m hearing too much

Greetings, hearingYes, I believe that it is rude for your husband to insist on forcing the audio on you, even if she has the right to disappear down the rabbit hole of her phone if she so chooses. It’s not impolite to ask her to put on her earbuds; it’s a normal reaction to being made to be an unwanted audience. As I’ve said before, a great attack makes the best defense. Your partner is using this strategy to avoid having to collaborate.

You may be able to improve your assertiveness through some sessions with a licensed family therapist. My final recommendation, if you are unable to achieve it, is this: Select a pastime that will get you out of the house and introduce you to friends who share your interest in entertainment.

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Abigail Van Buren, better known as Jeanne Phillips, wrote Dear Abby. Her mother, Pauline Phillips, created the company. For more information, visit www.DearAbby.com or send an email to P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.