DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: Both my husband and I grew up in the suburbs. We met in the city where we currently live, where he works, and where I also was working before we had our son. I was able to convert to parttime work-from-home, but my husband is still working in the center of the city, only a 20-minute bike ride away.

Now that our son is nearing preschool age, and our second baby is due toward the end of this year, I think it’s time to move out of our cramped two-bedroom townhouse into a larger home with a front and backyard and the potential for the lifestyle my husband and I both knew as kids.

Every time I bring up my wish to move, my husband counters with not wanting to have to commute, which I completely understand. He’s an awesome dad and loves spending time with us at the end of the day. But the facts of the matter are our home is no longer big enough, and we absolutely cannot afford a larger home near city center. The only neighborhoods with yards within the city limits, and only a tiny commute for my husband, are all even more out of our price range.

Is my husband being unreasonable, or am I? --- WANT OUT OF CITY LIVING

DEAR WANT OUT OF CITY LIVING: I see a lot of merit in both your and your husband’s standpoints.

If your real estate explorations so far have all been made on your own, it might be time to connect with a licensed real estate professional. It’s possible there are options you’re unaware of that could offer a compromise you both could live with.

As with any compromise though, it’s likely neither of you will be perfectly satisfied. However, a growing family has already forced, and will only continue to force you both to evaluate and reevaluate priorities. I think it’s best to be open and honest with each other when you discuss options and wishes. Always consider first and foremost what’s best for the family in general, even if it isn’t the ideal solution for everyone involved.

DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: I am not asking for advice, just a way to vent a little.

For the second Easter in a row, I will not get to see my new grandbaby, and it ain’t easy. I raised my daughter as a single father, and now I have a grandson who was born in early March of last year, just as the world shut down. My daughter and son-in-law are terrific about video conferencing and sending loads of photos and videos, but it is far from the same thing as holding my first grandchild, which I have yet to be able to do.

I don’t know anyone who has had much of a good time since the pandemic started, and I, for one, cannot wait to have it over so holidays and life in general can once again be celebrated in person, and I can finally meet AND hold my grandson, hopefully before he graduates high school! I hate missing out on so much in these early days of his life. --- MISSING SO MUCH

DEAR MISSING SO MUCH: I fully understand your need to vent a little, and have been known to do so myself more than once to anyone who’ll listen. Also, like you, I look forward to a return to a more normal world and a chance to get caught up with loved ones and friends — in the flesh!

Until those better days come, be safe, and stay as “close” as you can to those you love.

DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: Last year my neighbors were sometimes having sex loud enough to be heard in my apartment. It was an on and off thing, and I figured I could play a TV or lullaby music loud enough to drown out the sound so my child and I could rest. At that time I called the office and sent an email because even with the music I played we couldn’t get any rest.

The office never responded, and now the loud sex has become an every night thing. I don’t want us to have to wear earplugs to get some rest when I pay a lot of money for rent. I shouldn’t have to sleep on my couch to avoid the noises. I think they know we can hear them and do it on purpose. I’ve started having nightmares of rape I never have before.

I called the apartment’s courtesy officer, who is also a local policeman, to tell him what’s been going on. He didn’t want to be involved and told me to call the police, so I did. The officer said if the neighbors don’t answer the door, he can’t even give them a warning. He told me it’s a civil situation, so I should tell the management office.

I feel violated. Neither the management office, nor the courtesy officer seem to care. The officer left it at telling me he was certain the loud neighbors were told we could hear them.

There have been other problems in the past with these neighbors, who right after they moved in told the office that my dishwasher, which I never use, was leaking into their apartment.

Because of these situations, and other times when the management has been less than helpful, I am frustrated living here. But due to having no car or job, I ended up renewing my lease. It makes me more frustrated when I am already displeased with where I live and not getting the amenities that I pay for, and then can’t get any rest at the end of the day.

I do not know these neighbors and have never spoken to them before, and don’t feel comfortable asking them to quiet down their sex life. It has really pissed me off because I have been told they know about the problem and continue to do it. I had wanted to go and speak to them myself, but I thought in this day and age I wouldn’t because I don’t need them lying and saying I’m harassing them. And I also feel because I have asked previously to end my lease, that the management office isn’t taking me seriously and also doesn’t care.

Am I asking too much to get some of the services I thought I was paying for? --- I WANT TO MOVE, BUT CAN’T

DEAR WANT TO MOVE, BUT CAN’T: So long as you’re paying your rent on time and abiding by all the terms of your lease, I think you’re right to expect some help from the management office when you need it.

I also agree that directly approaching the noisy neighbors yourself might not be the wisest thing to do, especially since you’ve been told by the courtesy officer that they were already informed about your complaint.

Since you’re not getting any satisfaction from the on-site management, it might help if you reach out to your local or state government to see if they have tenant rights or other mediation services available to review and resolve issues like yours.

Depending on where you live, another potential resource is the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) at www.hud.gov/topics/rental_assistance/tenantrights. This site has state-by-state links that take you to some of the different agencies set-up to assist renters facing a variety of difficulties.