DEAR Jasminda, I’ve told my husband he is sometimes insensitive in his responses, but he doesn’t seem to be able to change. Do you have any suggestions? He’s great in every other respect. Claudia Q. Dear Claudia, Firstly, I offer my condolences regarding your husband’s occasional insensitivity. People can be brash or unthinking at times […]

DEAR Jasminda, On my rostered day off last week I went for a day trip to the beach. After getting a bit too much sun, I rolled over and noticed Amy, who is a junior work colleague, swimming in the ocean with her kids. She was on a work from home day (approved by me). […]

DEAR Jasminda, Every time I look at the news there is a new tragedy unfolding or a new source of conflict. It’s actually getting to me. I feel that I’m in a constant state of worry wondering what will happen next. Do you have any ideas on how I can address this? Leonie B. Dear […]

DEAR Jasminda, My new girlfriend chats incessantly as soon as she wakes. I prefer to ease into the day. How can I get our morning routines in sync? Karl B. Dear Karl, I’m with you on this one. My husband’s mouth seems to wake up before the rest of him. From the moment his eyelids […]

DEAR Jasminda, HOW do I get my kids to pick up after themselves? It seems so simple, and yet we follow a continual pattern of them being told to pick up, falling back into bad habits, me getting annoyed and doing it for them, and returning to the beginning again. It’s driving me crazy. Gabrielle […]

Dear Jasminda, “On the weekend, my partner and I went to a Murder Mystery Lunch. We have since decided that we would actually prefer to remain in character. Is it okay to do this indefinitely? Cardinal Matteo Rossi.   Dear Cardinal, I’m assuming that is your Murder Mystery name and not your current moniker and […]

DEAR Jasminda, MY partner wants to go travelling around Australia, camping along the way. While this sounds great in theory, I’m wondering if the reality will be feasible. We both have jobs that are about 70 percent office-based. Rachael O. Dear Rachael, It sounds like the most wonderful adventure. What an experience. ‘Sounds’ being the […]

DEAR Jasminda, AFTER a couple of weeks away, my husband and I have realised that we get along much better when we are away from home. Our relationship improved, we both relaxed for the first time in a long time, and it became apparent that we are soft touches and often feel that others take […]

DEAR Jasminda, WHILE attending a car show on the weekend, I was almost ploughed down by a man on a mobility scooter. He looked at me as though I was the one in the wrong, even though I was just minding my own business on the footpath. What are the rules around mobility scooters and […]

DEAR Jasminda, Since the recent heavy rain events, we now have a flock of bin chickens in our yard. They are not a very attractive bird, but I can’t seem to shoo them away. How do I get rid of them? Jonathan R. Ah, Jonathon Using the term bin chicken tells me everything I need […]