DEAR ABBY: We are a married couple in our 60s and have no close family. Before retirement, we would playfully tease each other that when we retired, we'd turn our spare bedroom into a "fun fantasy adult room." Fast forward -- we now have our special room, and we're having a blast.

Well, we got a call from distant relatives who will be heading our way, and they asked to stay with us for a few days. How do we explain that we have no room for them without causing problems? -- DISCREET IN WASHINGTON

DEAR DISCREET: Be honest -- to a degree. After telling them that you are unable to accommodate them, explain that because you have turned the spare bedroom into an "entertainment center," it is no longer set up for guests, but you'd love to see them while they're in town and take them OUT for dinner. Just remember that if you are asked, you do not have to reveal what kind of games you are playing in there.

DEAR ABBY: I'm curious to know your thoughts regarding this dating situation: If a person has a prosthetic and the device isn't obvious, when and how would you recommend it be disclosed to the dating partner? Is it "too much information" to reveal on a first date? Would it be all right to wait a couple of dates, see how they go, and then reveal the fact? Please help, if you can. -- CURIOUS IN LYNCHBURG

DEAR CURIOUS: I see no reason to reveal something like this on a first -- or even second -- date, and certainly not with a virtual stranger. "Prosthetics" of various kinds are common, but few people are willing to discuss the fact that their appearance has been enhanced with false teeth, caps and veneers, breast implants, Botox or a hair transplant. People are more than a prosthetic, so new acquaintances should get to know the person before receiving that information.

DEAR ABBY: This politically divisive year has fueled a debate in our family. I like to put a political sticker on my car (on a magnet). That way I can remove it when I want. One of my relatives won't ride in my car if I have my sticker on. I say it's my car and I can put what I want on it. He says I should be "sensitive to others' feelings" when they are in the car. What do you think? -- POLITICALLY STUMPED

DEAR POLITICALLY STUMPED: You have a right to exercise your freedom of expression. If your relative prefers not to ride in a car with a bumper sticker advertising "the other" political party, then he or she should feel free to arrange for alternative transportation.

DEAR ABBY: I recently took my 5-year-old, "Ralphie," to his pediatrician. While we were waiting to see the doctor, Ralphie played a game on my phone. Then the doctor knocked on the door, entered, said "hi" and smiled. He called my son's name and immediately, without any prompts to get Ralphie's attention, proceeded to take the phone from my son's hand.

You don't simply take things from people's hands to get their attention. Ralphie may be a child, but he is also a person. I would feel different if, after the doctor had tried to get his attention, my son had ignored him.

I understand Ralphie had to get ready to pay attention and follow instructions. If he hadn't, I would have removed the phone myself. This doctor is very competent and has seen Ralphie since the day he was born. He has always been dry and a bit brusque.

How do I tell the doctor that I find what he did unacceptable without risking the relationship? I'm not very assertive. The reason I don't say anything most of the time is because I become angry very easily, and while I understand there are ways to say things, I simply do not possess those skills. My emotions are so strong that I can't find a way of being assertive without saying something rude. What can I do? -- LAURA IN NEW YORK

DEAR LAURA: Ideally, YOU should have asked your son to return your cellphone when you heard the doctor enter. Write him a letter and tell him you were "taken aback" that he would take something from your boy without asking because what happened seemed to you to be disrespectful. Put the letter aside for three days before sending it to be sure your message wasn't written in the heat of anger. You are entitled to express your opinion. And if the doctor's "brusque" manner is off-putting, find another pediatrician.

DEAR ABBY: I am a 17-year-old girl and I have a job as a barista. I have an uncle who keeps asking to borrow money from me. He always promises he will pay me back, but he was in prison and he's struggling to find a job. He never does repay me, which wouldn't bother me if it were small amounts, but I'm trying to save for a car and college, and he always asks for amounts over $50.

Several adults are telling me he takes advantage of me. I don't know if I should continue to loan him money or tell him no. If I have to refuse him, it will be hard because I have a hard time saying no to others. I don't know what to do anymore. Any advice would be great. -- PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK

DEAR P2P: You are a sweet and generous girl, but you are allowing yourself to be taken advantage of. Part of growing up is learning to stand up for yourself. The next time your uncle asks you for money, tell him that you'll CONSIDER loaning him more after he has repaid you the money he has already borrowed. To do that isn't "mean"; it is intelligent.

DEAR ABBY: I have been with my boyfriend, "Jake," for a year and a half. To put it mildly, his dad does not like me. He has never thought I was good enough for his son, and he doesn't like the fact that I have a daughter from an earlier relationship. He thinks I'm interested in Jake only for his money, even though I work a full-time job and Jake and I share everything equally, except my daughter's expenses. I pay for those myself.

When Jake and I attend family gatherings for holidays or birthdays, his dad refuses to say hello to me. He does, however, make derogatory or negative remarks about me to Jake. It's incredibly hurtful and demeaning.

I have tried bringing it up to Jake, and he agrees. But he will not address it with his dad because "Dad won't change." Can you help? -- DISLIKED IN MASSACHUSETTS

DEAR DISLIKED: I don't know how serious Jake is about you, but if he was in love with you and planned on marrying you, he would INSIST that, at the very least, his father treat you with respect. Dad won't change because his son isn't assertive enough to make plain that if he doesn't, he will be seeing less of the both of you. I can only hope that your child isn't on the receiving end of this kind of treatment, because if that's happening -- for both of your sakes -- I'm advising you to end the romance with Jake.

DEAR ABBY: I have been married to the love of my life for 21 years. He has helped me raise my two children to adulthood. Both have now moved away and have their own lives.

My problem started a year and a half ago, when my grandson was born. I live 750 miles from my daughter and her little boy, and have a standing invitation to see them as often as I want (every three to four months). It makes more sense for me to travel to see them than the reverse.

I have always invited my husband to come with me, but he refuses. He has now given me an ultimatum: I can see them no more than twice a year or he will divorce me. What do you say, Abby? -- DUMBSTRUCK IN MAINE

DEAR DUMBSTRUCK: I say you have three choices -- either work this out with the help of a marriage counselor, see your daughter and grandson only twice a year or start talking to a lawyer. I have a strong hunch there's more going on here than you have revealed in your letter -- and whether or not your husband agrees to counseling, you should go.

DEAR ABBY: I am an older woman who has been dating a very nice man for approximately seven months. I'm fashionable and take pride in my appearance. While my friend is clean and neat, he wears a baseball cap with all of his clothes -- even his dress suits. I bought him a nice cap once and he was offended, so I returned it to the store.

Since he is good in so many ways, should I ignore this one quirk? I'd love to see him without the baseball cap when we go out. -- FASHIONABLE IN PENNSYLVANIA

DEAR FASHIONABLE: Have you tried asking him WHY he does this? Your friend may wear baseball caps with every outfit because he's bald or has thinning hair and is self-conscious about it. (Many men are.) If this gentleman has only one quirk that bothers you, you might be wise to consider that his attire is a reflection only on himself and not you.