DEAR ABBY: This is my second marriage. My first husband died when our daughter was 5 months old. I met my current husband, "Robert," when she was 6. We have a wonderful relationship as a couple and as a family. He's an amazing husband and father. We now have another child who is 7 months old.

I fear I have become a problem for Robert. I'm so attached to him that I don't ever want him to leave. He works from home -- even though he shouldn't -- because I want him to be with me. I end up distracting him and he misses deadlines. His job is almost over because the grant is over, and he's looking for a job. We are both very worried about this.

I know Robert will never complain about my need for his attention. I know he prefers us to be together, but he needs to work and I need to let him. I don't know why I struggle with this. I have never behaved this way. -- CAN'T LET GO

DEAR CAN'T LET GO: I have a hunch that what's going on with you is that you lost your first husband, and you're terrified that if this one isn't with you every minute, something terrible will happen to him, too.

Because this is having a negative impact on his career, it is extremely important that you learn how to manage this insecurity. The quickest way to accomplish it would be to talk this over with a licensed psychotherapist who can give you the insight and the tools you need. Please don't put it off.

DEAR ABBY: As an established patient with a specialized doctor, I recently went for my annual checkup. My appointment was scheduled a year ago. As I was checking in, I was informed that my doctor now collects all insurance co-pays before seeing patients.

As a senior citizen, I was shocked. Being expected to pay before the service makes me feel like he doesn't trust me. I can understand a convenience store expecting me to pay for my gas upfront because of drive-offs, but not a professional medical provider. I pay all my bills on time and have excellent credit.

It may be my age, but I want to feel respected and trusted. Shouldn't a doctor's office trust its established patients enough to allow them to pay once the service has been rendered? Has our country fallen so low that we are all guilty until proven innocent? -- FRUSTRATED PATIENT IN OKLAHOMA

DEAR FRUSTRATED: The reason you were asked for your co-pay in advance may have nothing to do with your personal trustworthiness. Your doctor may have had more than a few patients who were delinquent in paying.

Because you were offended, this is something you should discuss with your physician who, because of your long relationship, may be willing to make an exception. However, if that's not the case, you might be more comfortable taking your business to another doctor.

DEAR ABBY: How should I respond to someone who keeps her smartphone on and "fact-checks" anything that is mentioned in a group conversation? She's my brother's girlfriend, "Marla," and she's not a teenager. She's in her late 40s. I consider it rude. She invariably interjects a comment to confirm or dispute whatever has been said by saying, "Well, according to ..."

I admit I don't care for Marla for various reasons. However, she is perfect for my brother. To put it bluntly, I don't trust either of them. I try to limit contact with them because I feel so strongly. Am I right, or am I overreacting? -- AVOIDING CONTACT

DEAR AVOIDING CONTACT: Whether what Marla is doing is rude would depend upon why she feels compelled to fact-check during a conversation. If she does it as a form of one-upmanship, it's rude. If that's not the reason, she may do it out of insecurity or a desire to participate in the conversation.

That said, because you don't trust your brother or his lady friend, then it is only logical that you would avoid them as much as possible.

DEAR ABBY: My mother is almost 80, and I am trying to figure out activities she can do at home. Her health is not great because she has had several strokes over the past few years and has limited mobility.

Last year, I gave her some simple coloring books and crayons, and she did enjoy that, but she has told me she is kind of tired of coloring. She has adamantly insisted she doesn't want crosswords or word search books. Do you have any suggestions? -- ALL THOUGHT OUT IN CALIFORNIA

DEAR ALL THOUGHT OUT: Yes, I do. It is very important for your mother's mental health that she exercise as many functions of her brain as possible. She should not be encouraged to spend all of her time at home. A senior center can help to give her structure and physical and mental stimulation. In her generation, connection with peers is important because it provides debate and socialization.

As to what she should be doing at home besides filling in the pages of coloring books, consider activities she did in the past such as knitting, chess, and watching sports or soap operas if she enjoys them.

DEAR ABBY: With all of the racial tensions going on, and an attack on the local police force, there doesn't seem to be much escape. My husband thinks that watching the news is my "duty," and I have been doing it to the point of having anxiety attacks. Is it our duty to surround ourselves with the negative so much that we forget the fun part of life? -- NEWS OVERLOAD IN TEXAS

DEAR NEWS OVERLOAD: If the news is having a negative effect on your health, you need to ration it or take a short break. Rather than inform, I'm sad to say, the television news has degenerated into the equivalent of a series of brutal spectator sports events. If you would rather not submerge yourself in the blood and tears, you have my permission not to watch. Instead, make sure to schedule activities that bring you pleasure and joy for balance -- i.e. ones that involve music, exercise, friends or the outdoors.

DEAR ABBY: I am recently engaged, and both my fiance and his mother keep trying to set up "play dates" between his mom, my mom and me. I understand this may be a social norm so the mothers of an engaged couple can get to know each other during the engagement. However, my mom wants nothing to do with these dates.

Mom works long hours in the medical field. When she isn't working, she's frequently baby-sitting my sister's children. When she has free time, she enjoys being alone and reading a good book. This is her ideal way to spend her time, and she doesn't want to "hang out" with anyone but my dad. I have explained this more than once to my fiance, yet he and his mom still try to set up meetings.

In defense of my mom, she and my fiance's mother have known each other longer than my fiance and I have known each other. They live about a mile apart and have met many, many times. I don't understand why more meetups are necessary.

It's getting to the point where I wish they'd stop asking my mom to do things, because I always have to awkwardly say no. Must I drag Mom somewhere I know she'd rather not be, or should my fiance let this go? -- TOO MUCH TOGETHERNESS

DEAR TOO MUCH: Marriage is supposed to be a blending of two families, which may be why your fiance and his mother are so persistent. However, you should not be a message carrier and feel stuck in the middle because it isn't fair to you.

Tell your fiance that if his mother wants to get together with yours, she should call your mother herself. That way your mom can explain directly that because of her busy schedule -- and her short list of priorities -- she is not available.

DEAR ABBY: I'm a single father raising my four children alone. My problem may seem trivial and minor, but it's extremely taxing for me. My kids refuse to stop talking during my very brief television/movie time.

I work full time and take care of them by myself, and my two-hour escape via a movie or TV show is constantly interrupted. When I point out that what they are doing is rude and even disruptive, I am met with accusations that I "don't care about them" or "You love TV more than me." They somehow turn my anger around to their benefit. Please help. -- ME TIME IN FLORIDA

DEAR ME TIME: Welcome to parenthood! It's a 24-hour-a-day job, seven days a week.

You didn't mention how old your children are, but if they are under the age of 13, they should have a regular bedtime. Once they are in bed, you can have your "me time." However, if they are older, then accept that teenagers may need to communicate with their dad about things that are important, and it is more important to be available to them than to watch television every night.

P.S. Suggestion: Perhaps you can record or stream your shows and watch them at a later time when your kids don't need you.