DEAR ABBY: I was married for 18 years when my niece, "Gwen," announced at a family cookout on Mother's Day that she and my husband, "Budd," were having an affair. We have since divorced and they have married.
I have done all I can to accept this; however, it is very hard to do. I am very angry. I hate the fact that Gwen comes to my home every day to pick up my four children. I have asked Budd to make other arrangements so I don't have to have contact with Gwen, but they refuse to cooperate. They say I am being childish and unreasonable.
I have been going to counseling and was told to "let it go" and "get over it." Please tell me how. -- HAD IT IN PENNSYLVANIA
DEAR HAD IT: What happened was a betrayal -- and the way you found out was brutal, ugly and humiliating. However, for your children's sake, you must take the high road and move on with your life. The alternative is to cut yourself off from the rest of your family at the time you most need their support. When your children are older, they will understand the terrible situation you were placed in and how courageously you handled it.
It is also important that you take time for yourself and become socially involved again. It will distract you from your problems. You deserve to be happy, too.