DEAR ABBY: I need your opinion about my ex-husband and his lack of respect for boundaries. He moved out of our home two years ago, but never changed his mailing address. We have been officially divorced for six months. He feels it's OK to come to our "married house" anytime he wants. We have two teenage children who refuse to spend the night with him.
When he comes to my house, he goes through the mail, opens the cabinets and refrigerators, even goes into my room when I'm not home and watches TV. I am dating someone new and don't feel comfortable with this setup. I'm worried it will cause problems with my new friend, and I don't know how to stop this madness.
We currently have the "married house" on the market, and I want to make sure he knows he won't be welcome in my new home if not invited. How do I avoid conflict with him and my kids? -- REALLY DIVORCED IN ST. LOUIS
DEAR REALLY DIVORCED: You should have set clear boundaries the day your divorce became official, but it's still not too late to do so. Tell your ex to notify the post office -- and his creditors -- of his change of address, and that if his mail continues to show up at your house, after a month it will be returned to the post office with the notation "not at this address."
You should also inform him and your children that you do not want him in your house in your absence. If he doesn't respect your wishes, then change the locks. The time he spends with your teenage children should also be elsewhere. He may not like the fact that you are establishing your independence, but you have a right to your privacy.