DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: Ever since my divorce was final, it seems like everyone I know is trying to set me up with someone. They’ve tricked me into blind dates, they’ve talked to single guy friends about me, they’ve teased me publicly about getting off the bench. Even both my parents get into the act, having some of my dad’s young coworkers “show up” when they know I’m coming over for dinner.

Honestly, I’ve had it. I think I’m the one who should decide when I want to start dating again. All the pushing just has me wanting to hide, and that’s no way to start looking for a new man in my life. How do I tell them to back off? --- I’LL KNOW WHEN I’M READY

DEAR I’LL KNOW WHEN I’M READY: Have you been as upfront with all your friendly neighborhood matchmakers as you are in your letter? If not, try telling them what you told me, that you’ll know when you’re ready and don’t need any help at this time.

While it may be reassuring that you have so many people who are concerned about your happiness, it is your life, and they need to understand that.

DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: Every time my mother-in-law comes for a visit, she brings her own bedding and towels. Honestly, we have plenty of each, and they’re completely clean and fresh. She says she figures it’s less work for me, but I think it’s for other reasons, none of which make me feel like she’s got much confidence in me and my housekeeping abilities.

I still continue to put out everything she might need, but should I bother? --- BUMMED BY BEDDING

DEAR BUMMED BY BEDDING: I vote for continuing to be a good hostess and put out everything you believe would add to her comfort. Whatever her motives for BYOing, don’t take it personally. Some people are just more at ease with familiar items with them when they travel, even to relatives’ homes.

DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: I work with a guy who is probably a true genius when it comes to engineering, but has the least amount of common sense I’ve ever seen, I think. He’s generally great to work with and a good guy, but he has three small kids, all of them in school, all of them bringing home every germ known to medicine, which my coworker then brings into our office. We work in pretty tight quarters, and his sneezing and coughing is not only gross, it keeps getting the rest of us sick.

I know the guy doesn’t want to take PTO every time he gets a cold, but our boss has already told him he can work from home for a day or two if he needs to when he’s not feeling well, but he just never does.

Who’s the unreasonable one here? --- TIRED OF SNEEZING

DEAR TIRED OF SNEEZING: The first thing your letter made me think is that your coworker doesn’t want to telecommute because then he’ll be stuck home all day with his sick kids.

Maybe your boss’s offering “permission” to stay out of the office when ill needs to become “strongly urged” to not come in. Your coworker might be further persuaded if the boss’s directive is seconded by those most affected by his germ-sharing the next time the sneezes start.