DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: About a month into last semester I hooked up with a guy from one of my classes. My boyfriend from home and I had said we were giving each other the freedom to see other people while we are apart for school.

The guy I was with is nice, but I only ever thought it would be a onetime thing, and then we ended up in another class together this semester and he has let me know he wants to see me again. He said he keeps thinking about me, and wants more than just sex from me.

He knows about my boyfriend and how we want to get married after we finish school and that any messing around we do with other people doesn’t mean anything.

I think I could begin to like this guy more if I start hanging out with him. I don’t think this is what my boyfriend was thinking of when he said we should see other people. He didn’t mean, I think, we should be looking for anything more than hookups.

I don’t know if I should tell my boyfriend about this other guy. He knows I’ve been with him once. We tell each other about that stuff.

But if I start to feel something real for this guy, does that mean I need to tell my boyfriend about that too? --- JUST NOT SURE

DEAR JUST NOT SURE: It sounds like you and your boyfriend from home need to nail down a few details on the parameters of your open relationship, such as how you’d each handle casual encounters turning into something more substantial.

What you share with your boyfriend should be guided by the terms you agree on between the two of you. It’s possible you’ll discover you aren’t on all the same pages you take it for granted that you are.

In the meantime, please remember there’s at least one other person involved in this scenario.

Your classmate with the growing feelings has a right to know where he stands in your world. If you don’t see a future with him, then for his sake, the kindest thing to do is be honest and tell him so.

DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: My father’s half-sister is what he’s always called “a piece of work,” just like her mother was. Whenever she visits there are sure to be family fights and more trouble, yelling, and drama than if she stayed safely away in her condo in Florida.

My mother warned me my aunt is thinking of coming for a visit, and since my house is halfway between her place and my parents’, she told my mother she plans on stopping in with us for a few days before heading on to invade them.

I really don’t like this woman, even though she’s my aunt. She is nasty and says whatever she wants and thinks it’s an okay thing to do. Last time she was here, my son, who was five at the time, hid in his room and never came near her, which she said was a huge insult. I thought it showed how smart my son is. He told us after she left he thought she was a “scary lady.”

My wife says we have to put her up for the few days, but I say we don’t have to put up with her and I even said we could spring for a hotel so she isn’t in our house, making us all miserable.

I see this as a real option, don’t you? --- UNHAPPY NEPHEW

DEAR UNHAPPY NEPHEW: In general terms I think a hotel is certainly an option to explore, especially if it’ll spare you some family drama.

However, not knowing your aunt or how she’s likely to respond to being diverted to a hotel, I’m not in a position to answer your question in this particular case, but you are.

One thing you and your wife need to keep strongly in mind is how your aunt’s being in your home will possibly affect your young son.

He’s older and perhaps more resourceful than he was during the last visit, but given his response then, he like you, appears to be far from a fan of your aunt and her antics.

Even though your son’s likely to encounter plenty of “scary” people in his lifetime, hopefully they won’t be spending too much time in his home.

DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: There is a woman I used to work with at my first job. She was getting close to retiring when I first knew her, and shortly after I moved onto a better job she took her retirement.

I learned so much from her while we worked together, and we have become good friends in the last few years. We often get together. When she has me over to her place, I get to also visit with her two Golden Retriever puppies and her three cats. She also has a cockatoo and fosters two other Goldens for a local rescue.

I have no idea how my friend can afford to take care of all these animals. So far as I know she is on a fixed income, most of it Social Security and small pensions from her late husband and from where we both worked together.

She told me the rescue covers almost all the costs of the dogs she fosters, but she spends plenty on them in treats and other things she does not submit to the rescue for reimbursement, and she told me she is seriously considering adopting the two fosters, since they and the puppies all get along.

I worry she is going to go broke caring for all her pets. I have mentioned this possibility to her, and she tells me these are her family, that she has no children or grandchildren, so who or what else would she want to spend her money on?

I don’t believe she really understands what she has gotten herself into and that she will run out of money when she needs it the most.

I also worry that she will be so tied down from caring for all these animals she will never get out of the house for more than short breaks. Already she only goes out when she absolutely has to, like for doctor’s appointments or necessary shopping, or for the few times she meets me for lunch or dinner.

How do I get her to understand she needs to rethink taking on the full cost and care commitment for any more animals especially since once she adopts the fosters, she’s on the hook for ALL their expenses? --- WORRIED FOR MY FRIEND

DEAR WORRIED FOR MY FRIEND: Your friend sounds like a big-hearted lady. Still I see why you’re concerned about the potential financial and social tolls of her generosity, and hopefully you’ve spoken to her about how you feel about them.

You mentioned sources of income with which you’re familiar. It may be your friend has others you’re unaware of that will provide her with funds if and when she needs them, even if she adopts the two fosters.

In addition to the financial considerations, you’re right to keep an eye on her reluctance to leave her home. That’s the sort of mindset that can progress to her not wanting to go out at all, even for the essentials. I’ve seen it happen; and home grocery deliveries and telehealth visits have the ability to further reduce her already limited exposure to the world outside her house if she starts taking advantage of them.

Beyond sharing your worries over extending her pet care commitments, you might consider doing some research on her behalf to see if there are organizations or services in your area dedicated to helping people with limited incomes cover pet expenses should they become overwhelming.

To help give your friend some flexibility in getting herself out of the house, you might also check into low- or no-cost pet watching options in your community, including pet watching co-ops, neighborhood teens, and veterinary staff who do pet sitting jobs on the side.