DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: Whenever my sister needs help (which happens a lot!), my mom, stepdad, and I always do what we can to help her and her husband out. It also always seems to happen that whenever one of us needs a hand with something, she and her husband are never available. Since she used to be more helpful before she got married, we are thinking this is coming from her husband, who is not at all close to his own family.

How do we let my sister know her helping would be greatly appreciated, and that it does not feel very fair that there is not reciprocation when we ask for help? This has been especially upsetting since my stepdad’s cancer diagnosis and treatments. --- COULD USE A HAND SOMETIMES

DEAR COULD USE A HAND SOMETIMES: It’s entirely possible your sister’s getting caught between her husband’s preferences and your family’s needs. This could mean too many requests might result in her feeling as if she has to make a choice between the two sides.

Rather than putting in a lot of small requests, perhaps you could try directly approaching your sister with a specific call for help only she — without her husband along — can render. Let her know how much her stepping in, even this one time, would mean to your parents.

If she finds herself unable to meet you this far, her loyalties are clear, and you would save yourself some frustration by finding other ways to get things done. Sometimes a little walking away is a big sanity saver.

DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: My girlfriend is incredibly creative and talented and one of the best writers I know. About six months ago she started a blog, and lately she’s started getting into writing about her relationships — past and present.

I’m not an overly private person, but some of what she shares is getting me a little uncomfortable. Although she writes under a different name, all our friends know who she is and that she’s in a relationship with me.

I have mentioned to her how uncomfortable some of what she is putting out there makes me, but she says nobody will take it all that seriously, and she wouldn’t put in anything too personal, but I feel she already has.

Am I just being uber-sensitive? --- THE BLOGGER’S GIRLFRIEND

DEAR BLOGGER’S GIRLFRIEND: Writers have long taken inspiration from their own lives, and it’s often something that comes with the territory for those close to them. In the case of bloggers in particular, what happens in their lives is what they’re most likely to write about.

It may not be enough to tell her you’re just not comfortable with her writing about your relationship, especially since it’s presumably a big part of her life. Perhaps it’s time to be more specific about what you consider fair game and are alright with her posting and what you strongly believe is too personal for public consumption.

DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: My wife and her dad are close and share many common interests. Unfortunately, the ones she shares with him are not the hobbies she and I enjoy together. He’s a big fisherman and especially likes fly fishing, which I think is about as dull a way to spend time as possible. When he isn’t working, he’s fishing, or tying flies, or talking about fishing adventures and flies he’s tied. I respect his enthusiasm, but don’t share it in the least.

How do I tell my father-in-law I really don’t care about his passion? He and my wife seem to think it’s something I need to get into too. --- NO ANGLER

DEAR NO ANGLER: You seem to be forgetting that you and your father-in-law have something very much in common — your wife. You could let them know you’re pleased that they still get to spend time together doing something they both enjoy; that this is their special time, and the last thing they need or should want is to have you tagging along.

Perhaps you could also offer that you look forward to the days they’re fishing to get caught up with some of your own pet projects and hobbies.