DEAR ABBY: For the past two years, I have been trying to conceal from my family (with modest success) that I'm asexual. I overhear conversations my parents have been having with my older siblings on the subject of dating, and I'm becoming increasingly frustrated that my experiences have been so different from theirs. I have never dated the same person twice, as three of my brothers have.

I am considering coming out to a select circle of fellow students on my college campus. Understandably, I'm anxious about it because I have never planned a "coming-out party" before. I'm also worried about how my parents might react if they find out before I'm ready to tell them. My decision to come out would likely conflict with my family's conservative-leaning religious beliefs.

To complicate matters further, my family has been planning a road trip so I can finally visit someone I met on a dating app who lives nine hours away. I'm worried she might not want to date me if she finds out about my asexuality and, by extension, my hesitation to commit to a long-term relationship.

What recommendations do you have for how to move forward? Should I cancel my coming-out plans to appease my family, or should I focus on building a support system? -- CLOSETED IN THE MIDWEST

DEAR CLOSETED: If you feel the need to come out to your family (at some point) about your asexuality, postpone the announcement until you are comfortable doing it. Asexuality isn't a sin, and their religious leanings should have nothing to do with it. I see no reason for you to make a "grand announcement" at home or on campus at this time. Your relationship with the women you date shouldn't present a problem if they are also asexual. Go online and you will find there are many resources for asexual people, including dating sites.

DEAR ABBY: My longtime friend -- let's call her "Cindy" -- is six months pregnant and has started sharing name ideas with me regarding her baby -- it's a girl. For some reason, Cindy will hear a word she thinks sounds pretty and think it will make a great name for her daughter, regardless of the meaning of the word. I had to beg her to stop considering "Chlamydia" as a name. She finally agreed after I repeatedly emphasized the bullying her daughter could receive over that name.

Now she has her heart set on the name "Cliche" and seems to think as long as the name isn't an STD, everything will be fine with that choice. She's now calling me "hypercritical" as this is the fourth name I've objected to. ("Bidet" and "Chalet" were the other selections.)

Cindy's family doesn't seem to care and even agrees that "Chlamydia" sounds lovely, and she should go with that name. I'm at my wits' end. I only want to help an innocent child avoid a lifetime of ridicule and stress. What should I do? -- NORMALLY NAMED IN NEW YORK

DEAR NORMALLY NAMED: There are none so blind as those who will not see, and none so deaf as those who refuse to listen. Suggest Cindy might like the Greek names Kalista, Lydia, Olympia or Andromeda. A constellation was named after Andromeda, a beautiful daughter of Greek myth. After that, avoid frustration by no longer offering Cindy more suggestions.

DEAR ABBY: My sister is cheap. She's also not good at choosing gifts for people. Often, the things she gives are worse than if she'd done nothing at all. An example: She was just here visiting and brought my 4-year-old a toy car she'd picked up at a garage sale (fine, so far), but one of the wheels was broken off. She had the wheel in her purse and said something about gluing it back on, but never did. Once she left, we tried to glue it, but it turned out the toy wasn't fixable, and my son was very disappointed.

This isn't the first time this has happened. There's a history of clothes that are too small, ripped or dirty, toys sent so late the child has long outgrown that stage, etc. It's not a matter of money. She's the director of a large law school, so she can buy anything she likes. It is a matter of attention.

I've spoken to her several times about not bringing gifts anymore, but she glosses over the disappointment and says she loves seeing kids open the things she brings. Someday, my kids will be old enough to see her behavior as quirky, but for now I want it to stop. Am I right? -- GIFT RIFT IN THE WEST

DEAR GIFT RIFT: You are not wrong. Your sister appears to be "a little off-center." I agree with you that one day in the not-too-distant future, your children will be discerning enough to notice the "gifts" your sister brings are soiled or broken and selected without regard to their interests or taste. A way to avoid the problem would be not to invite her to visit around birthday or holiday time, or intercept her inappropriate gifts before the kids see them.

DEAR ABBY: Last year, we renovated our house. We now have a south-facing roof that is ready for the installation of solar panels. Our utility company has an incentive program to lower the cost of the equipment, but it ends in six months.

The only thing holding us back is the next-door neighbors' old, tall tree that shades our roof where the panels would go. The tree is cracked and has been coming down in sections over the last several years. Previous owners of the house had to repair their front windows and gutter after a large branch came crashing down in a storm.

The current owners are a young couple with a small baby. We have had occasional, friendly driveway conversations but don't really know them. Would it be presumptuous to ask if they would be willing to let us pay to have their tree removed? People can be prickly about their property. But maybe they wouldn't mind someone else covering what is probably an inevitable cost.

We want to continue having a friendly relationship, while also moving forward with our project. Thoughts? -- UPGRADING IN NORTH CAROLINA

DEAR UPGRADING: Because you have a cordial relationship with these neighbors, it shouldn't be offensive to point out that their tree presents a problem. When you do, tell them that a falling branch had damaged their front windows and gutter, which caused an expensive repair. Explain that the cracks in the tree could present a danger to their little one, then volunteer that you are more than willing to pay the cost of having it removed.

DEAR ABBY: My relationship with my mother-in-law has been rocky for the nine years I've been married to her daughter. She has been very hurtful at times, saying things like, "You're not welcome [in her house]." She has never accepted me.

She was recently unable to stay within the boundaries my wife and I set with her when she visited us. We had asked her to keep it light and just enjoy lunch together, but she started telling us my wife should apologize to her niece over a trivial misunderstanding. When I asked her to leave, she started crying and said, "I'm so disappointed that my first-born married such an awful human being." Advice? -- DISRESPECTED IN RHODE ISLAND

DEAR DISRESPECTED: Clearly, you do not like your mother-in-law, and the feelings are mutual. She was wrong to cross the boundary by criticizing your wife during that lunch, but you may have overstepped by ordering her to leave. Depending upon how close a relationship your wife would like to have with her mother, some sessions with a licensed family therapist may be in order if the three of you are willing.

DEAR ABBY: When I was invited to see the birth of my great-grandchild, I said yes. I was told if my granddaughter didn't give birth by the 14th of the month at the latest, the doctor would induce on that day. I forgot it could happen on any day. I went out of town on Friday the 11th, which is when my granddaughter called to let me know she was on her way to the hospital.

I missed the birth of my great-granddaughter! I know it's my fault, and I am heartbroken because I can never get that back. Also, my granddaughter is no longer speaking to me. I've tried calling her, but she won't answer. I feel so horribly sad, like I've made the mistake of a lifetime. Please advise. -- TRIPPED UP IN COLORADO

DEAR TRIPPED UP: While your absence at your great-grandchild's birth was unfortunate, it is not the mistake of a lifetime. You are human, and human beings make mistakes. That your granddaughter won't speak to you is regrettable, but hopefully she'll mellow after she receives your large bouquet of flowers and abject letter of apology.

DEAR ABBY: My son-in-law says I am lazy and antisocial because I use the drive-up grocery option. I told him that when I use the drive-up, I do less impulse buying and save time and money. Am I wrong? -- INSULTED IN WISCONSIN

DEAR INSULTED: Of course you are not wrong. What you are doing works for you, and you shouldn't be criticized for it. Ask yourself why your passive-aggressive son-in-law feels the need to put you down. Is there something else going on in your relationship with him ... or in his head?