Dear Aunt,
I feel like we are 2 very different
I am a university student and I live at
home with my mother but I feel like I
have to get out or I will go crazy. My
mother is ill so I have to take care of her.
I also take my younger brother to school
and then after my university I work a job.
The expenses for the house are
extortionate and I have nobody to help
me. I know I have a commitment to my
family but I feel like I will have to drop
out of university (I’m in my 3rd year) and
live for them rather than break free and
live my life for myself. Thanks, John.
Dear John, sounds like you are stuck in
a terrible situation. I commend you for
sticking it out so selflessly for so long. Is
there absolutely no family you can ask
for help? Could you get help from the
government for care workers? If your
brother is old enough to take care of
himself would your mother really want
you to give up your dream? In another
few years if you finished university you
might be in a much better place
financially to take care of your family.
Dear Aunt, I love my boyfriend but
people. I like to save up for
holidays and nice things but he
likes to spend his money as it
comes in. Usually he spends his
money on gadgets and stupid
things. Also we have been living
together for 6 years and he hasn’t
asked me to marry him yet. Yours,
Sophie.
Dear Sophie, it sounds like he
hasn’t grown up yet. You can stick
with him and see how it plays out.
I doubt though that it will be a
happy ending for you though. Men
like that tend to stay like Peter Pan
for the longest time. End it as
soon as possible. Cut your losses.
Dear Aunt, my life is terrible. I
hate everything about it. Everyone
has more money than me. They
are happy and have friends. I hate
everyone. Mike.
Dear Mike, the reason everything
is terrible is probably your attitude.
Being a friendlier person will
change your life. Try it.
Discussion:

 Talk about each column and talk with your partner about whether
you agree or disagree with the advice. Why do you feel this way?
 Who do you feel sorriest for John, Sophie or Mike? Why?

Write your own response to this Agony Aunt column:

Dear Aunt, I am having a terrible time with my job. I make very

good money but I leave my home very early in the morning and I
get in very late at night after my wife and children have gone to
sleep. On the weekends I am so tired all I want to do is crash
out on the sofa and I feel like I am such a bad husband. My wife
understands that this is our life and is fine with our arrangement.
We do have a large house and a large part of my salary goes
into mortgage and bills. I, however think my children and wife
are drifting away from me. Should I take another job? All other
jobs would be less money for me but I would have more time for
my family and myself. Thanks, Daniel.
Dear Daniel,_________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
Talk with a partner and discuss problems and solutions in your own
lives:

Language you may find useful for this exercise

I am so stressed about…
I feel like so much is expected of
me…
I’m not really sure what to do.
What do you think I should do?
I’m having a problem with…
I can’t seem to….
What would you do if…?
What’s the best way to…?
If I were you, I would…
I understand your problem but you
should…
What do you think about…?
I think the best thing you can do is..
When this happens to me I…
You should focus more on…
I have no idea, sorry!
What about…?

Conversation cards:

Discuss or write what would be simple advice for these problems.

Daisy thinks that she Adam thinks that he

should buy a new doesn’t need to get
house. married.

David thinks that he Rachel thinks that she

should work part time should stop eating meat
over the summer and become a
instead of taking a vegetarian.
university course.

Robert wants to stop Kelly thinks that

smoking but he doesn’t studying is the only
know how to. important thing in her
life.