I fancy my housemate

FOR the past six months I’ve been sharing a house with a guy I met through a house-sharing site, after I split up with my boyfriend of eight years.

He made it clear, at first, that he simply wanted someone to help pay the mortgage. Over the last couple of months though, he’s been starting to take care of me and is very friendly.

Sometimes it’s like he reads my mind and it sort of scares me, but I find I’m smiling whenever I think of him.

I think he needs me around as he doesn’t have much of a social life – he’s a bit of a geek to be honest. ST

Fiona says: I fear you are wishing for more than is on offer here.

You don’t indicate in your letter that he’s really done enough to justify you thinking he’s fallen for you.

From what you say, I’d guess he certainly likes you and enjoys having you around, but who wouldn’t want that in a housemate?

He’s not shown any signs of anything more than affection, but you are getting over a broken heart and I am worried you’re reading more into this than is really there.

Of course I may be wrong, and it could be that he’s too shy to say anything, but please take this slowly.

My teens are trouble

I ALWAYS heard the teenage years were difficult in families, but I never believed it as I’ve had such a good relationship with my two boys.

Now the elder is 16 and the younger one is 13, they’ve become a nightmare and they’re driving me to drink!

I’m at my wit’s end trying to get them to understand that if only they’d do what they’re supposed to, things would run a lot more smoothly.

I have to remind them what seems like dozens of times and then, when they still don’t do it, they can’t seem to understand why I lose my temper!

They seem to think I am deliberately marking life hard for them and seem to have forgotten, or not care, that I too should have a life.

All reasonable communication seems to have gone out the window and after such a good relationship between the three of us, I find it so depressing. SR

Fiona says: Teenage years are often punctuated by impossible demands, stormy scenes and perpetual sulks - so please don’t feel that you are somehow failing.

Your sons are not doing this simply to annoy you - it’s the hormonal barrage they’re under - combined with a need to develop a sense of independence.

That doesn’t mean they should be allowed to get away without doing their fair share of chores, but you may have to adopt different strategies to get the work done.

Most parents struggle through the teenage years, so don’t feel you are the only one struggling to communicate. - you’re not alone!

I recommend you read Living With A Teenager by Suzie Hayman and The Best Of Boys - Helping Your Son Through His Teenage Years by Claire Gillman. Just keep letting them know that you love them and eventually those teenage sulks will pass.