Dear Annie: Dealing with an interrupting mother-in-law

Dear Annie: I grew up in a household where my mother tolerated very little inappropriate behavior. When she was interrupted, she would continue talking, saying, “Pardon me for speaking while you’re interrupting.” And she would continue with what she had to say.

I don’t know if “Love My Mother-in-Law,” who is also struggling with interrupting relatives, has the courage to respond in this manner; perhaps the interrupter would consider changing his behavior if people made him aware of it every time he did it.

Make it an issue. Talk about it. Let him know how annoying it is to others. Worth a try. — Grew Up With Corrections

Dear Grew up with Corrections: People will treat you exactly how you let them treat you. It sounds like your mother had very strict boundaries with people about how they could treat her.

Thank you for your letter. It highlights the importance of communicating to others what your standards are for acceptable behavior.

Read more Dear Annie and other advice columns.

“How Can I Forgive My Cheating Partner?” is out now! Annie Lane’s second anthology — featuring favorite columns on marriage, infidelity, communication and reconciliation — is available as a paperback and e-book. Visit Creators Publishing for more information. Send your questions for Annie Lane to [email protected].