DEAR HARRIETTE: I found that my new boyfriend snores, and I’m at a whole loss about what to do.
We’ve been seeing one another for a couple of month, and every part was going nice — till final night time, once we had our first sleepover. It seems he snores loudly, and I completely can’t stand loud night breathing. It’s not only a gentle annoyance for me; it’s one thing that fully disrupts my skill to sleep.
I’ve all the time been a light-weight sleeper, and I do know from expertise that if I don’t get a full night time’s relaxation, my whole day is ruined. Final night time, I barely acquired an hour of sleep, and right this moment I really feel like a zombie.
I attempted utilizing earplugs, however they didn’t block out the noise totally. I even thought-about sleeping in one other room, however since we’re nonetheless within the early levels of relationship, that felt awkward and somewhat too quickly to carry up.
Now, I’m beginning to fear about what this implies for our relationship. I actually like him, and I can see potential for one thing critical between us, however I don’t know if I can deal with his loud night breathing long-term.
I don’t need to overreact, however I additionally don’t need to sacrifice my very own well being and well-being for the sake of a relationship.
Is it too early to carry up his loud night breathing? How do I point out it with out making him really feel self-conscious or creating awkwardness between us?
— He Snores
DEAR HE SNORES: You’re going to have to inform your boyfriend about his loud night breathing and the way it impacts you.
Should you actually can’t sleep with him within the room loud night breathing, you’ll have to work out various sleeping preparations. Sure, that could be awkward at first, however it’s mandatory.
You might also need to suggest that he ask his physician about his loud night breathing. He might have sleep apnea. If he drank a variety of alcohol earlier than going to sleep, that might have impacted his respiration.
Discuss to him about it. Inform him you’re sorry that loud night breathing has this impact on you, however you wanted to carry it as much as him.
DEAR HARRIETTE: I’m having a difficulty with my neighbors and their new pet.
Whereas she’s lovely, they don’t appear to be doing an amazing job coaching her. The pet retains utilizing my yard as her private rest room, and my neighbors by no means trouble to select up after her.
At first, I attempted to disregard it as a result of I figured they had been simply getting used to having a brand new pet. Nevertheless, it’s been weeks now, and the issue isn’t getting any higher.
I’ve observed that there are increasingly more spots in my yard the place she’s accomplished her enterprise, and it’s turning into an actual nuisance. Not solely does it look unhealthy, however it’s additionally unhygienic, particularly since I’ve children who prefer to play exterior.
I don’t know the best way to carry it up with out sounding confrontational. I don’t need to create unhealthy blood between us as a result of we reside so shut, and I like my neighbors. On the identical time, I don’t suppose it’s truthful for me to need to cope with their canine’s messes.
How can I inform them about this in a method that’s well mannered however agency?
— Canine Poop
DEAR DOG POOP: It’s a must to set boundaries. Go to your neighbors’ home. Ask them to fulfill you within the yard. Present them their canine’s droppings. Inform them you want them to wash up after the canine instantly for your loved ones’s well being. Easy and direct.
Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founding father of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to assist folks entry and activate their desires. You possibly can ship inquiries to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas Metropolis, MO 64106.
