DEAR JANE: I fear my mother-in-law is making my kids sick by secretly violating my parenting rules
I have three children — aged four, six, and 10 — and have been happily married for 12 years.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
‘Vacuum mulching' can keep your lawn green and healthy in Fall despite the falling leaves – any mower can be transformed
A LAWN care expert gave his best advice on how to take care of your lawn during the fall season. Chris Lazo, who goes by @bermudadad on TikTok, shared his hack for protecting your lawn as the season begins to change. 1 Lazo warns that leaves falling from trees during the seasonal change can block the nutrients the lawn gets from the sun. In the video, Lazo shows leaves covering his whole front lawn. 'There are two great options for handling this, and I'll be testing out Greenworks tools for both of them,' he said. One of the unique methods Lazo used to prep his lawn was lawn mulching. 'Mulching can put the nutrients right back into your grass by chopping leaf materials into particles that are small enough to break down easily and go back into your soil,' Lazo said. He then showed how he turned his Greenworks 60V 21-inch self-propelled lawn mower into a mulcher. 'First thing I'm going to do is block off the chute in the back of the mower with a mulch plug and then remove the side discharge,' Lazo demonstrated. 'This allows the vacuum that the blade creates to keep the grass swirling inside the deck for longer, so that the blade gets multiple passes at the clippings before dropping them back onto the ground,' he continued. Lazo warned that you'll need shorter clippings to have a successful mulch job, which means you'll need to mow more often. Lawn mulching can contribute up to one pound of a lawn's annual nitrogen requirements, according to the home care website The Spruce. Watch the moment home owner walks over their new-build's lawn and shows how landscaping turned it into a water bed A lawn typically requires about four pounds of nitrogen, so reusing the clippings on the grass offers significant benefits. Practicing lawn mulching can also save lawn caretakers a significant amount of time and energy compared to using a lawn mower. 'This is what I do to keep my lawn beautiful, clean, and healthy throughout the fall.' However, if you choose not to lawn mulch, you can always purchase a blower. 'A blower beats a rake any day because it can remove leaves quickly and easily,' he said. Lazo went on to explain that those with larger lawns should look for a blower with a decent amount of power to it and some flexibility. The lawn care expert used Greenworks' 60-volt leaf blower. The leaf blower can produce up to 200 miles per hour winds and has a 60-minute battery life. The leaf blower weighs ten pounds and is powered at 780 cubic feet per meter. Lazo said the blower is great for him because he wants the power without the weight.
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
Selfish sex and constant criticism drove partner into arms of another man – how do I win her back?
DEAR DEIDRE: YEARS of me behaving badly towards my partner finally drove her into the arms of another man. Now she's left me, taking our wonderful children, and I don't know how I'll ever get over her. She was the best thing that ever happened to me. The worst thing is that I know it's all my fault because I was an absolute idiot. We are in our early forties. We were together for 15 years and have three kids. When we met, I knew she was too good for me in every way. Instead of appreciating her for all her amazing qualities, I put her down at every opportunity to make myself feel better. I criticised her cooking, never complimented her, commented negatively when she put on a few pounds, and picked stupid fights. I was also selfish in bed, prioritising my pleasure over hers. I felt bad when she looked upset or rejected, but I never did anything to change. A couple of years ago, she started to pull away from me. I was too stupid to notice. Last year I discovered messages on her phone from another guy — someone she worked with. They had been talking for months and it was clear they'd met up. I imagined her in bed with him and saw red. I confronted her, calling her all kinds of horrible names. She denied anything physical had happened between them. But it was the beginning of the end. Understanding open relationships A few weeks ago, she told me she'd had enough and was taking the children to her mum's. I begged her to stay but she said never again. I'm in bits. How can I move on from this? DEIDRE SAYS: Insecurity and low self-esteem can make people behave cruelly. Because you felt you didn't deserve your partner, you pushed her away – a self-fulfilling prophecy. It's good that you've recognised your behaviour contributed to your break-up. Now in order to heal and move forward with your life, you need to work on yourself. Talking to a counsellor would help. See my support packs, How Counselling Can Help and Raising Self-Esteem, for more information. It's unlikely your ex will come back, but if she knows you're getting help and that you acknowledge your behaviour, in time you may be able to forge a friendship. That's important as you will need to learn how to co-parent apart. SHOULD I QUIT JOB TO AVOID THE SACK FOR DRINKING? DEAR DEIDRE: I STUPIDLY drank alcohol at work when I was going through a difficult time. Now I'm facing a disciplinary and am sure I'm going to be sacked. I feel so stressed and anxious that I'm wondering if I should hand in my notice instead. Would that stop the disciplinary going ahead so it isn't on my record? I'm a 34-year-old man and work for the council. I've had some problems – a break-up and money troubles. Drinking alcohol made me feel better. I'd drink a bottle of wine each night. When work got difficult too, I started taking a flask into the office – and secretly drinking it. But I got caught and was told it was a serious breach of company policy. I tried to explain but that was not seen as sufficiently remorseful. I know I have no future in the company, but I'd prefer to leave with dignity. DEIDRE SAYS: It sounds like your firm has dealt with this harshly, by ignoring your personal circumstances. Perhaps you work in an environment where drinking puts people at risk. But it may be worth appealing to HR. Don't do anything rash. You need to take professional advice first. Talk to (0300 123 1100) for free, independent and confidential help. My support pack, Drink Problem?, should help with your alcohol issues. If your workplace sees you're getting support to stop relying on alcohol, they may be more lenient. POP STAR DREAMS MAKE ME A BIT SAD DEAR DEIDRE: ALMOST every night I have sexy dreams about my favourite boyband singer. Sometimes, I even orgasm in my sleep. Should I be worried? I'm a 21-year-old single woman and haven't had a boyfriend in months. I don't think about sex that much during the day, but at night I have the most erotic dreams. It really feels like sex is happening. When I wake up, I feel good, and then a bit guilty, like I've done something bad. I also feel a bit sad that the dreams aren't real and we'll never be together. I also worry that maybe I've been moaning or touching myself in my sleep. Is this normal? DEIDRE SAYS: Don't worry. Having sexual dreams is absolutely normal, particularly when you're young and have high levels of sex hormones. You might have heard of 'wet dreams', when men (generally younger ones) ejaculate in their sleep. But even though people don't generally talk about women's sexy dreams, they're very common. Sex doesn't just happen in your body, it also happens in your brain. You clearly have a big crush on this singer, so your dreams are reflecting that desire. The fact you haven't had sex in a while is probably also a factor, as on an unconscious level you're craving a sexual experience. I'M GHOSTED BY WIDOWED LOVER DEAR DEIDRE: THE widower I've been dating went cold on me after we had sex. He claims it's nothing to do with me, but I feel so used and hurt. Since meeting online, we've been dating for several months and getting on really well – talking daily and meeting for meals and trips to the cinema and theatre. I'm 34 and he's 39. I knew from the start that he'd lost his wife to cancer, so I was happy to take things slowly. I also knew he had a young son who he wanted to protect – and understood that he wasn't yet ready to tell him about me. A few weeks ago we had a conversation where we agreed to come off dating apps and be exclusive. That weekend, his son went to stay with his gran, and we had sex for the first time. It was wonderful – so loving and intimate. I really thought things were becoming serious. But the next day, his messages were sporadic and brief. And he didn't call me that night. Since then, he hasn't arranged another date. He told me he has family issues to deal with and will be in touch. But almost two weeks later, he still hasn't contacted me. I messaged saying how I felt, and he read it but didn't reply. I'm trying to give him space but feel so rejected. Is he just a player? Should I give up on him? DEIDRE SAYS: While it's possible he used you for sex, it's also likely he's feeling guilty about his late wife or son. Perhaps he's realised he's not ready for a serious relationship, or feels he's betrayed her memory by having sex with you. Either way, you can't wait for him for ever. Set yourself a deadline – if he hasn't contacted you by a certain date, it's time to move on. My support pack, Mend Your Broken Heart, may help you recover if things don't work out.
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Why buy five appliances? This top-rated everyday cooker does it all - and it's 62% off with this exclusive code
Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission - learn more Ready to cook up a good time?! The GreenPan Elite 6-Quart Electric Multi-Pot with Steamer & Tool is your solution to making dinner time fun again. GreenPan is known for its top-tier appliances, from toaster ovens to rice cookers, and now this unique slow cooker. The compact all-in-one tool has 12 modes and takes almost no counter space. The best part is the best-selling find, which is 62 percent off right now on QVC with code NEWQVC25 at checkout. It's time to give yourself the gift of a little extra time. No more running around the kitchen from oven to pan! With the GreenPan Elite 6-Quart Electric Multi-Pot with Steamer & Tool, you can make every part of your meal in one place. Designed with versatility, it comes with 12 unique modes, including steam, slow cook, sauté, stew, rice, warm, and stir fry Users are shocked by how much they can do, with one saying: 'One word amazing!!! This is the perfect tool in every kitchen because you will have meals cooked to perfection in no time. Forget about the stove and clean up like a breeze.' No matter what meal you have in mind, this all-in-one cooker can tackle it. Whether you are looking to slow-cook a juicy pulled pork or whip up your family's famous stew recipe, the multiple features make it possible. You can also enjoy the included steamer basket that can cook veggies to perfection! One user said: ' Steamer insert, silicone spoon, and tempered glass lid are a plus! I like the 12 modes... Great clean up with the ceramic nonstick coating too.' Ready to cook? This all in one appliance does the MOST with tempered glass, an adjustable touchpad, removable cord, and so much more. Worried about clean-up? Don't be! The GreenPan Elite 6-Quart Electric Multi-Pot is completely dishwasher safe and made from non-stick ceramic to make post-meal clean-up a breeze. The innovative cooker also has two non-slip handles and a removable pot that holds up to 6 qt. The GreenPan Elite 6-Quart Electric Multi-Pot with Steamer & Tool is pure magic! Keep your belly full and your pockets when you shop it now, while it is 62 percent off on QVC using code NEWQVC25.
