Jann Blackstone, Tribune News Service
Q. My mother butt called me last night and I overheard her badmouthing my wife. She was having a drink with her best friend and going off. At first, I didn’t know what was happening, but then I heard my wife’s name, recognized my mother’s voice and I was ticked off. My mother loves my ex and hates my wife, and this was obvious on the call. I have never told my parents why we got a divorce — my ex cheated —because I didn’t want to ruin her relationship with my children’s mother, but this was too much. Should I confront my mother or just pretend I didn’t hear it? What’s good ex-etiquette?
A. You must ask yourself what your goal in all this is and then shape your approach accordingly. If you want to sabotage your mother’s relationship with your ex, you