Dear Queenie,

I’m pregnant and I’m watching my weight carefully because I can’t do much exercising. I look really huge, but my doctor says that’s because I’m so short and that really I’m doing just fine.

The thing is, people, including especially my mother-in-law, are always telling me I’m getting too big and how I must be eating too much.

Queenie, what’s a polite way to respond to such comments?—Pregnant, not fat

Dear Pregnant,

Why be polite to people who are rude to you?

Tell the ones who do not know you are pregnant, “I’m not fat, I’m pregnant.” Tell the ones who do know, “My doctor says I’m doing just fine. Would you like his phone number so you can argue with him?”

Dear Queenie,

I’ve been dating an amazing man and am falling in love with him and he seems to like being with me, but he doesn’t seem interested in having sex with me. One time I even suggested it myself but he made some excuse about not being ready for that yet.

Queenie, should I stick with him until he is ready?—Frustrated

Dear Frustrated,

“Until he is ready” probably will be never, or he would have jumped at the chance when you propositioned him. He may be gay, he may be totally asexual, or he may be sexually dysfunctional, but he is not likely to go to bed with you any time soon, if ever – read “never.”

If you are willing to do without sex, stick with him. Otherwise, do both of you a favour – let him go and start looking for a man who shares your yearnings.

Dear Queenie,

My girlfriend and I have been going together for a couple of years and I have proposed to her but she won’t say “yes.” I think the reason is that she has known some abusive men and is afraid of getting trapped. In fact, she want us to see each other less often.

I get lonely and want to go out for lunch or coffee with other women just to have someone to talk to but she says that’s not okay because we are supposed to be exclusive to each other.

Queenie, am I being unreasonable or is she?—Lonesome lover

Dear Lonesome,

Your girlfriend does not seem committed to you, but seems to want you to be committed to her. This does not seem fair to me, but if you want to cater to her feelings, it would be a good idea to forget about other female companionship and stick to going out with only your male friends.

However, if it is marriage you want, you may have to find another prospective mate.

Dear Queenie,

My boyfriend is very good to me, but he has very little education and can only get low-salary jobs and now he been out of work for several months. He says he is looking for work, but he always seems to have an excuse for “not today”.

I am going to college and raising our son and I have a fairly good job that pays enough to support us, but it’s a real drag and I don’t see it getting any better any time soon.

Queenie, the only reason I stay with him is because I love him and I don’t think I could make it as a single mother alone.—Worn out

Dear Worn out,

You are a single mother supporting not one child but two – your son and your boyfriend.

Your boyfriend has no real motivation to look for work or to work at getting more education so he could find better jobs. Why should he, when Mommy (you) is willing to take care of him?

Give him an ultimatum: start helping out financially or get out and relieve you of at least part of your burden – and give you a chance to find a man who will give you something more than additional expenses.