Q. My husband, who used to be away on business most of the time, now works from home and has become bossy and dictatorial. He spends a good deal of his day advising me how the house could be better run. This is bringing tensions into our previously harmonious relationship. How can I put a stop to his interference in a delicate way without him feeling that I’ve ceased to respect his opinions? PS: the house already runs like clockwork.
— Name and address withheld
A. Why not act daft and agree with your husband that, since you seem to be less efficient than him, he should direct the running of the house himself and you will just obey his orders. To this end, keep a giant ledger open on a central surface and, as soon as he starts holding forth, interrupt pleasantly and direct him towards the ledger. Ask him to write down his advice in detail as the ideas come to him.
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