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Dear Aunty Pam,

 

So, I’ve been going out with ‘Rick’ for several months. He’s wanted to introduce me to his mother (his father passed away two years ago), which is nice, so we’ve decided to go see her for the long Easter weekend. She lives in Kentucky, and we’ll be staying at her house.

The problem is she is super religious and made it clear to Rick that she has made up separate bedrooms for us to sleep in. We’re already going to the Easter morning church service, and I’m not religious at all, so I feel like I’m already going above and beyond what I’d rather do, but the separate bedrooms are just ridiculous. This is 2024, and surely she can’t think we don’t have a physical relationship? I want Rick to put his foot down, but he won’t. He says he doesn’t want to rock the boat. I’m worried I’m seeing the first sign of a ‘Mama’s Boy’ and that doesn’t bode well for the future. What do you think?

 

Missy

 

Dear Missy,

 

For Heaven’s sake, surely you and Rick aren’t going at it like rabbits 24/7 and can sleep by yourself for a couple of nights? I mean, you are a guest in Mama’s house, this is a particularly meaningful religious weekend for her, and I don’t think this means Rick is tied to her apron strings at all. Besides, the topic of sexuality between a child and parent can remain awkward, even when the child is an adult. Unless you both decide to stay at a hotel, I don’t see how you can have your chocolate bunny and eat it, too.

The whole point of this visit is to meet Rick’s mother and hopefully forge a pleasant relationship that you can build if you and Rick are looking at a long-term future together. No one is asking you to live out a scene from The Handmaid’s Tale— be reasonable. And then when you and Rick head home, you can pull off the road at the first rest stop…

 

Cheers, dears!!

Aunty Pam