Dear Annie: I am the only one of my siblings who is out of the house and married with children. I live relatively close to my parents. The problem is, I feel as if they no longer consider me their daughter. They don't visit or invite us to come over, go swimming, have dinner, etc. I am usually the one who has to call them. Dad rarely phones, and Mom will call only if I don't get in touch for a few days. We only get together for birthdays and holidays.

My children have played sports for several seasons, and I've invited my parents to watch them on numerous occasions, but they are always too busy. When my son graduated pre-school, my parents managed to find an excuse not to make it.

My parents are truly missing out when it comes to their grandchildren. The really sad part is that I have a younger brother who is close in age to my children and they love to spend time together, but it happens rarely.

I've expressed my frustration to my parents many times, but it doesn't matter. It really hurts when they exclude me. Am I wrong to expect them to want to have quality time with me and my family? My children are too young now to understand, but how will I explain it to them later when they ask why Grandma and Grandpa aren't interested in them? – AA

Dear AA: Your parents may feel they are too young to be grandparents and don't want to be reminded, they could mistakenly believe they are doing you a favour by not being too involved in your married life, or they may be busy with their other young children. Regardless, you need to make it clear that they are doing damage they may not be able to fix later – not only in their relationship with their grandchildren, but also with you. Please continue to call and invite them to your children's events, but don't expect too much in return. (We hope your husband's parents are close to your children.)

Dear Annie: I'm a foreign language tutor and translator. I love my job, but very often, when people find out what I do, they ask me how to say something in a certain language or they try to start a conversation with me in one of my languages.

Out of the context of my work environment, I feel put on the spot. I usually have my mind on something else, and I also don't want to appear as though I'm showing off. What is an effective response to these queries? – Put on the Hot Seat

Dear Hot Seat: You wouldn't be showing off to display your knowledge when asked. However, if you are embarrassed or annoyed by such questions, it's OK to smile politely and say, "I'm off-duty now. I hope you don't mind if we stick to English''

Dear Annie: I read another letter in your column from a woman who can't seem to find a man to make her happy. I'm 61, a widow, self-sufficient with two beautiful daughters who have given me seven wonderful grandchildren. The men I have dated have been needy, self-absorbed, selfish, egotistical, stingy, lying, homicidal (he wanted to do away with an ex), bombastic, pontificating jackasses. What happens to men in their 50s, 60s and 70s? Is it some sort of by-product of global warming?

I spent the last few years of my 32-year marriage trying to "fix" myself with therapy and anti-depressants, while my husband continued to drink his fifth of vodka, with no worries and no job. Finally, one day I said, "Who needs this?" and left.

Ladies, men will not make you happy, only you can do that. Life is what you make of it. If you happen to find that rare specimen who makes you happy, you won the lottery. I'm not bitter, just wiser. – Peace in the 60s

Dear Peace: Not all men are like the ones you've dated, but we agree that no woman should believe she needs a man to be happy.