Aggie Pratt says: You don’t trust your husband and you treat him like a little boy; he is miserable and can’t live ‘like this’. It is obvious that there’s only one thing you can do and that is go your separate ways. Your husband should divorce you for unreasonable behaviour. You are clearly the problem and he must love you very much to have stayed with you thus far under the unreasonable conditions you have laid down.

Dear Miriam,
I seem to see all those I’ve loved in a totally different light since I reached the change. I was always proud of running the house for my two kids and husband and babysitting for the grandchildren.
But after 30 years of marriage I began to take stock. I was suddenly no longer happy with my lot. I needed time for me.
I became a volunteer and worked at a riding centre for people with disabilities and, because of this, I haven’t been able to babysit like I used to and my kids throw this in my face saying I’m pandering to outsiders when the family should come first. But, if I’m honest, I’d rather be at work – I’ve done my bit but they can’t, or won’t, understand this.
My attitude towards them is changing. Instead of a family that I loved helping, I now see them as graspers and users and I know I shouldn’t feel this way. I realise the menopause does make changes to a woman. I once lived my life through my family and now I resent every little call they make on my time.

Aggie Pratt says: You’ve obviously had a dull life at home for many years, made many sacrifices, and now your children, having reached adulthood, are continuing to abuse you. Children never appreciate what you have done for them, not necessarily because of insensitivity but simply lack of realisation and appreciation. It seems about time you did what you want to do, so go for it.

Dear Deidre,
I have such a hairy chest that I feel like a monster and am too embarrassed to go on holiday. I’m 23 and will soon be in the Canaries sunning it up with a bunch of my mates. The problem is that I’m too ashamed to take off my top because of my hairy chest. I’ve been worrying myself silly about this ever since I booked the holiday last year.
I’ve thought about shaving the hairs off or using a cream to remove them but I’m worried my mates will know what I’ve done – and I’m not sure what it will look like as it grows back.
Please help as I really want to enjoy my holiday.

Aggie Pratt says: I will assume that you are a male. Hair, wherever it grows is a perfectly natural phenomenon and not something to be embarrassed about. Our National Health service is overburdened quite enough without having to deal with stupid people who invite Melanoma by removing their clothes and frying their skin whilst on holiday. Lastly, if you shave your chest you will probably gash yourself rather nastily giving you the appearance of a vampire training ground and your hair will grow back thicker and uglier.