Jamie Lauren Sutton

Dear Ms. Demeanor,

My two next-door neighbors are heads of competing factions on the coop board.  They knock on my door at night and trash-talk the other.  How do I stay somewhat neighborly and neutral while still having friends/advocates on the board? 

Dear Ms. Demeanor,

My building has very thin walls, and I am forgiving of basic neighborly sounds, but I hear my neighbor's TV and music morning, noon, and through the night, with brief interludes of quiet.

I've tried knocking on her door but she doesn't answer (and when I have seen her in the hallways she's generally sour-faced and never looks at me).

Dear Ms. Demeanor:

My three-year-old hasn't quite left the terrible two's behind. To know her is to love her, but not to know her is to hear her screaming when leaving for school, eating dinner, getting a bath, going to bed...  

My neighbors are starting to make snide comments.   What should I say the next time someone makes a nasty remark?

Signed,

Dear Ms. Demeanor,

While enjoying a lazy cup of coffee on a Sunday morning, I looked out my window to see my next-door neighbor ‘servicing’ her boyfriend while he was perched on the table.

I took my coffee to the bedroom and tried to forget about it,  but now it seems to be as much a part of their Sunday routine as the Times crossword puzzle.  One time is a funny story, I suppose, but weekly is seriously interfering with my view.  

How do I get them to pull the shades without seeming like I am some sick voyeur?

Signed,

Ms. Demeanor,

My babysitter called to tell me she has bed bugs!!!  I work part-time but do not have any other childcare alternatives.  I want to be supportive but I am completely freaked out and am terrified that she will bring those dreaded little bugs into our home and our lives.

Signed, Bugging Out

Dear Bugging Out,

I am sorry to be the one to tell you this, but if your sitter has been in your home for long periods of time you have to assume that the bed bugs have as well until proven otherwise. 

Dear Ms. Demeanor,

My formerly-friendly neighbor is giving me attitude for sending my daughter to a private school across town instead of the public school around the corner. 

Do I ignore her and hope she'll get over it or confront her comments head-on? 

Proudly Private

Dear Proud: