DEAR ABBY: My wife has been working as a teacher's assistant for nearly 10 years. Several years ago, she became an assistant in a new school and has been in this particular classroom since it opened. She was assigned a teacher, "Mrs. Smith," a couple years in and has been with her ever since.

My wife has had some critical things to say a couple of times about other teachers, and things she (and I) felt were wrong. But the superintendent of our county always rules for the teachers because they went to college. Mrs. Smith knows this and berates my wife constantly. My wife won't go to the principal because he always sides with the teachers.

I'm about at my wits' end. I just told her I was writing you, and here's why: I so want to say something to this teacher, BUT I WON'T because it's my wife's job. I just need to help her without causing trouble in the heat of the moment. -- SUPPORTIVE HUSBAND IN THE EAST

DEAR HUSBAND: You absolutely should not involve yourself in your wife's difficulties with this teacher. If she's being "berated constantly," the teacher to whom she is assigned has been creating a stressful and hostile working environment. It's time for her to have a frank conversation with that teacher and tell her she is not happy with the way she's being treated. Perhaps she could ask to be assigned to another classroom. However, if that isn't feasible, because your wife is unhappy in that school district, she should look elsewhere for employment.

DEAR ABBY: My recently married daughter and my husband had a stupid argument before Sunday dinner six weeks ago and haven't spoken since. I love my daughter very much and want to see her, but she refuses to come here as she feels her dad owes her an apology.

She and her husband were late (as usual) for dinner, and my husband (who is ill and not sleeping well) just lost it and she burst into tears. I felt for both of them. Neither of them ate dinner, and neither one spoke. They have texted each other, but haven't seen each other. It's stressing me out big-time.

Sunday dinners have been put on hold, and my patience is wearing thin. I think they're both in the wrong and need to talk, but neither will make the first move. Any ideas? -- MOM & WIFE TO THE STUBBORN

DEAR M&W: May I be frank? Your husband was not feeling well and, in addition, was sleep-deprived. That he may have been more sensitive than usual is understandable. He was certainly within his rights to point out to your daughter and her husband that their habitual tardiness is rude and inconsiderate. They were long overdue in hearing it.

Your daughter and son-in-law owe him -- and you -- an apology. Support your husband and hope your self-centered daughter matures enough to admit they were wrong and apologize. In the meantime, please make plans with other folks for Sunday dinners, which will give you less time to brood.

DEAR ABBY: I'm a 56-year-old, married, 24/7 caregiver. My husband is terminally ill. When he was diagnosed, all I could think about was what can I do to make this as pleasant and comfortable as possible for my husband and best friend. I have devoted my energy to giving him the best home care I possibly can. It's far more important to utilize my energy taking care of the love of my life than anything else, and I have put myself on the back burner.

We live a very isolated life. We didn't socialize, mainly because I'm a longtime loner and somewhat shy. My husband never had close friends. Basically, I'm alone, with all of my family living out of state and no friends or relatives nearby. Abby, I am scared. I'm filled with anxiety and hopelessness every day. I can't let my husband see these dark feelings, so I put on a happy face so I won't place any unneeded stress on him. How do I continue to keep up this facade? -- ALONE AND SCARED IN SOUTH CAROLINA

DEAR ALONE AND SCARED: Please accept my deepest sympathy for what you and your beloved husband are going through. It is very important that you recognize that in order to give him the best care possible, it's crucial you take care of yourself.

Ask your husband's doctor if there is an organization that can offer support and information about his illness. Most of them have support groups and chat options for caregivers -- and being able to communicate with others would be beneficial for you.

Since you have no friend or relatives close by, you should also ask if there is respite care available. If you take advantage of it occasionally, it might give you time to recharge and lessen your anxiety. Please consider it. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.

DEAR ABBY: How do I get away from someone I don't care about? Anything I want to do, he doesn't want to do. He refused to go on vacation because of COVID, but he's going on a hunt later this year when COVID will still be around. When I was working, he would always want to go somewhere, but now that I'm not, he doesn't take me anywhere. What should I do? -- DISSATISFIED IN MISSOURI

DEAR DISSATISFIED: A surefire way to get away from someone you no longer care about is to tell the person, "It's over." If he asks you why, tell him he no longer meets your needs and goodbye. Period. No more discussion. If you are married to this person and economically dependent, find a job before consulting a lawyer.

DEAR ABBY: I recently received a formal invitation to a celebration of the marriage of a close friend and his deceased wife. What is the etiquette for gift-giving at such an event? Is one expected? If so, what's an appropriate gift? -- UNSURE GIFT-GIVER

DEAR UNSURE: Your letter is a first. May I be frank? Sending formal invitations to celebrate a wedding anniversary in which one spouse is dead strikes me as macabre. My inclination would be to send my regrets, but if you feel obligated to send something, a picture frame might be appropriate.

DEAR ABBY: I have two sons I'm very proud of. My husband and I have raised them to be respectful and to make responsible decisions. However, I go to bed in tears each night feeling we have failed.

Our elder son is married and has a son, our grandson, "Charlie," who is dear to our hearts. Charlie is celebrating his second birthday, and our daughter-in-law told me they are having a birthday party for him and we are invited. She added that she feels the "secondary activities" they are having are the ones that are the most important and ones he will remember. We are not invited to participate in the secondary activities, which include a hockey game, trip to the petting zoo and family photos or videos.

We try to support our son and daughter-in-law, but we do not feel respected and loved in return. When we invite them for dinner, they arrive an hour or two late or don't show up at all. We send them text messages, but they don't respond. We offer to help and are there for them when they ask us to be, regardless of our personal consequence. What can we do? -- OVERFLOWING WITH LOVE

DEAR OVERFLOWING: When I read that your daughter-in-law told you that you weren't invited to the special events surrounding Charlie's birthday, my initial reaction was that she may have thought they would be too much for you and your husband to handle. However, when you described that your dinner invitations are treated like garbage and they don't have enough respect to return your calls and texts in a timely manner, it occurs to me that you have been so overflowing with love that you have been taken for granted.

You may have raised your son well, but your daughter-in-law appears to be running the show. Her parents may take precedence on the hierarchy of importance, and if that's the case, you and your husband need to clear the air with your son and his wife, and sacrifice less when they snap their fingers.

DEAR ABBY: I have been working with a therapist on creating healthy boundaries with my family. I moved out of state with my husband to ensure that those boundaries are met because my parents have alcohol and verbal abuse issues. My younger sister "Maya" became engaged recently, and she is at a very exciting time in her life, planning her wedding.

Here's the thing: I have no interest in hearing about, helping to plan or being a part of the wedding because Maya and I have nothing in common other than our parents. She's self-absorbed and rude. Her fiance is an introvert, so getting to know him is incredibly difficult. How do I politely convey this to Maya or (more importantly) my mother without causing hurt feelings? -- MOVED AWAY IN THE MIDWEST

DEAR MOVED: You may not be able to avoid hearing about the wedding if you are in communication with your mother and sister. But you have the advantage of living far away from them. If you are asked to assist in planning Maya's wedding, politely, logically (and regretfully) explain that your busy schedule as well as the geographic distance make your involvement impossible. You should, however, attend if you're invited.