DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: The man who owns the house across from ours rents out his house, which is divided into three apartments. The place only has at most four or five legal bedrooms, and we’ve counted at least eight cars connected to the house, taking up more than a fair share of the on-street parking. Ours is an older neighborhood and most of the homes, like ours, don’t have driveways. If we come home later than usual, my husband and I have to end up parking a block or more away, because all the spots on our block, including those right in front of our house are already taken by the people from across the street.

This isn’t the only rental on the block, and we knew that was the case when we bought in the neighborhood, but all the other landlords follow the zoning ordinances for maximum occupancy, so although there may be two or three cars per house, they generally manage to avoid parking in front of other people’s houses.

As I said, we knew the kind of renters’ paradise we moved into, and it was the trade-off we decided to make to be able to afford our first house. But the parking problem is really getting on my nerves, especially if I get home late and have to walk more than a block by myself.

Do we say something to the tenants or to the landlord? --- NEED A PLACE TO PARK

DEAR NEED A PLACE TO PARK: Even if you spoke to the tenants, and even if they agreed to spread their cars over a couple of blocks so you and your husband could have space nearer or in front of your house, that would only potentially limit other homeowners from access to the on-street parking in front of their houses. But you could give it a try.

Approaching the landlord may be a better move. Giving the benefit of the doubt, he or she may not be aware of how many people are actually living in the house, and your raising the probability of occupancy code violations might give you a little leverage — if the landlord doesn’t want to end up in trouble with whoever regulates the housing in your town.

DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: I come from a very politically active family. While I’m grateful to my parents for instilling a passion for being involved, I know it bugs them that I don’t align with the same party they do.

Because of their involvement over the years, they were able to secure me a summer internship (COVID permitting) in the office of a friend of theirs who won re-election for her senate seat. It’s a terrific opportunity, but I am conflicted about its being in “the other camp”.

Am I nuts to pass up this chance over political principles? --- IN THE OTHER CAMP

DEAR IN THE OTHER CAMP: Unless you can get a similar opportunity with an elected official in your preferred party, I say why not take the job offered you? Being in the office of a senator could put you in a position to meet a large variety of people on both sides of the aisle. And if you find you’re rubbing elbows with the enemy, you still should be in the way to gain valuable experience, make potentially useful connections, and maybe even broaden your own political horizons.

DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: My father has always been big on making New Year’s resolutions, and I am not.

Every year since I was a kid he’s asked me what I intend to do to make myself or the world better in the year to come. That was a heavy burden on an eight-year-old, and 20 years later, I still hate it.

What do I say to my father to get him to back off on this unwelcome tradition? --- LIKE TO SET MY OWN GOALS

DEAR LIKE TO SET MY OWN GOALS: I guess it might depend on whether your dad is doing this to be controlling or motivating. The latter is kind of sweet; the former not so much.

Either way, it’s probably time to have a calm and frank conversation with your dad to remind him that as an adult, you — and only you — are in charge of setting your own goals, if you even choose to do so.

From Mom: Here’s to a Healthy, More Normal, and Happy New Year for all!