Dear Annie

Features Dear Annie Caught Between Mom and Marriage By Annie Lane November 14, 2026 4 min read Trending Dear Annie: I’ve been married to my husband for almost 20 years, and while I love him dearly, there’s one person in our marriage who always seems to come first: his mother. Don’t get me wrong. I believe a man who loves and respects his mother has wonderful qualities. But there’s a difference between being a devoted son and making your wife feel like she’s competing for second place. My mother-in-law calls my husband several times a day, often about things that could easily wait. If we’re having dinner, he’ll answer. If we’re watching a movie, he’ll step outside to talk. She even calls when we’re on vacation, and somehow, her problems always become our problems. Last year, we planned a special anniversary weekend away. Two days before we were supposed to leave, his mother called and said she was feeling lonely and wanted him to visit. He suggested postponing our trip.

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