DEAR ABBY: My boyfriend and I plan to marry in a year or so. Because my mother is very controlling, we intend to move far away from her. She tries to control my every move. If I don't get her permission to take a shower, she goes crazy and yells at me for hours. I've always been respectful and followed every rule in her house. There's no reason for her to act this way.
Mother is angry at my 28-year-old sister because she moved 30 minutes away before she got married. Mom still drops in on her unexpectedly and calls every day to yell at her.
Abby, I don't want the same thing to happen to me. What should I do when she asks for my phone number? I don't want to give it to her. -- ADULT DAUGHTER IN THE SOUTHWEST
DEAR ADULT DAUGHTER: Your mother clearly has emotional problems and should be evaluated by a doctor. Although it may seem tempting to run away and leave your unhappy past behind, an alternative might be to add a call-screening feature to your phone. Your conscience will be clearer if you do.