DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: The guy I share an office with just broke up with his long-term girlfriend, but the real problem is his ex works in the same department as us, and it wasn’t a pretty break-up. I know it hasn’t been easy for either of them, but it’s getting pretty bad for the rest of us to be around these two. They never miss a chance to get in a shot at each other, publicly and privately. Should we go to the boss with this, or just ignore it and hope it goes away? --- STAYING OUT OF IT

DEAR STAYING OUT OF IT: Maybe it’s time for an in-office intervention. Your officemate and his ex need to know that the rest of the department doesn’t care to be in their private no man’s land. If you believe getting your boss involved will help drive the point home, then go for it. If on the other hand it could lead to more trouble for the exs, I don’t see any reason to pull him or her into the fray.

DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: It wouldn’t be the first time, but I just found out my father is cheating on my mom again, and I know she knows, but doesn’t want to say anything to me because she also knows I’ll beat the s___t out of him. The last time he did this I was just a kid and all I knew was that my dad was acting weird and my mom was really sad. How long do I play dumb and let him walk all over her? --- PROTECTIVE SON

DEAR PROTECTIVE SON: The bigger question is how long does your mom put up with your dad’s actions?

Crappy as the situation is, this is between your parents, and hard as it is for you to stand by, that’s what you need to do for your mom’s sake. It may make you feel better to take it out of your dad’s hide, but a fight between her husband and son isn’t going to make things any better for your mother.

Let her know you’re there for her, both for now and throughout whatever comes next.

DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: Our daughter moved out of our house right after she graduated college nearly three years ago. I had not been to her apartment for a quite a while, since she usually comes to our house to visit or we meet somewhere to eat or shop.

Two weeks ago she was out of town and asked me to pick up her mail. When I got it out of the mailbox and went to put it in the apartment for her, my heart dropped. I was able to open the door, but I couldn’t find the wall switch to turn on the light because there were so many magazines, books, and newspaper coupon flyers piled up by the front door. In the kitchen, the cabinets and drawers can’t close because there is so much stuff crammed into them. Her half-bath and walk-in closet are full of empty delivery boxes. I could go on, but I hate thinking about what I found.

When she returned home, I confronted her with what I saw and told her she is a hoarder. She went off on me, saying I have no business judging her and that she is certainly not a hoarder.

What do I do to convince her she needs to stop this dangerous behavior? --- MOTHER OF A HOARDER

DEAR MOTHER OF A HOARDER: Your daughter needs professional mental health help as soon as possible. People with hoarding tendencies can get worse as they age, and it sounds like she’s already in a bad situation. Since she’s in denial about her problem, it will take more than just her mom telling her this is not normal. Get some back-up from other family members and a friend or two. If she hears it enough, it might begin to click.

It may be a good idea for you to also seek professional guidance in how to help her. Her road to recovery will very likely be difficult, and having you in her corner could be a big help.