DEAR HARRIETTE: My aunt is super nosy. She constantly tries to read my Facebook messages over my shoulder, and she goes through my drawers when I'm out of the room without asking. She even asks me invasive questions about my love life, like what things I have physically done with other people. When she comes to visit, I feel like I never get any privacy, and her excuse is always that she can do what she wants because she's family. How can I tell her that I find what she's doing very rude? -- Drawing the Line, Baltimore
DEAR DRAWING THE LINE: Drum up the courage to have a heart-to-heart with your aunt. Tell her how much you love and appreciate her. Then explain that her recent actions have upset you. Describe several incidents where you believe she violated your privacy. Tell her you know that she loves you and believes that she has your best interest at heart, but what she is doing is making you uncomfortable. Ask her to stop going through your things.
Stop answering her badgering questions. Close your computer when she comes by. And tell your mother everything so that she can have your back. You may have to allow someone to see all aspects of your life. Ask your mother to be that person and to be a buffer for your aunt.