Dear Annie: My husband and I plus our four children currently reside in a first floor apartment. I love this because I don’t have to tell the kids to tiptoe everywhere so as not to disturb the downstairs neighbors. However, our upstairs college neighbors are extremely heavy-footed and always sound like they are on an expedition. We have only talked to them once while they were having a video game party and asked that they not stomp wildly every time someone won or lost. They were fine with that and quieted down some.

Recently, one of the young men in the apartment got a girlfriend. Their adult activities can be heard loud and clear in the room that my husband, our baby and I share. This frequently wakes the baby and causes none of us to get any sleep. Their bed is very, very squeaky, and their voices carry through clearly. Activities happen every night at 10, every morning at 5, 6 or 7, and now every afternoon as well. I don’t know what to do. — Exhausted Mom

Dear Exhausted Mom: If you don’t feel up to another face-to-face interaction, you can try leaving a note for your neighbors or relaying your grievances to your landlord or property manager. Most complexes have specified quiet hours that this unit is surely not keeping to. As awkward as a confrontation like this can be, who knows — you might be doing the whole building a favor by speaking up.

Dear Annie: My husband and I will be married 47 years come Dec. 2. My heart is broken because I’ve been in remission for acute promyelocytic leukemia for two years now but still have quite a few medical problems due to the arsenic chemo treatments I was on for over two years.

My memory issues are the worst. My short-term memory is completely gone, along with some of my long-term memory. I repeat quite a few of my questions to my husband and daughter. Also, I say things over and over again. My husband especially tells me very angrily to shut up because he doesn’t want to hear me repeating questions or saying things constantly just to hear them again five minutes later. My doctors have said it is just the long-term damage from the chemo. There is nothing to be fixed.

I am heartbroken because I can’t even talk in my own home. I have become silent and guarded, afraid to say anything. I go about my day doing my normal chores and answering any questions my husband or daughter might have, but that is about it. I might as well have lost my voice because I am not allowed to talk anyway. My therapist understands and tells me constantly that none of this is my fault. I never asked for this. But it doesn’t change the reality of my life. Any suggestions you could give me would be most appreciated. — Heartbroken Cancer Survivor

Dear Heartbroken: I am incredibly sorry for all you’re going through. Your home and family should be sources of comfort, not stress and unacceptance.

For anything to change, you have to honestly and openly communicate how you’re feeling to your husband. It’s worth asking if your therapist would be willing to see both of you for a few sessions or recommend a couples counselor who can. You might also find connection through a local support group with others in your exact situation who understand the extreme difficulties that your diagnosis presents for you and you alone. I wholeheartedly agree with your therapist that none of this is your fault, the way your husband is treating you is not OK, and you deserve to be heard and free to live in your own home.

Dear Annie: I am a single mother to my one daughter, who is now 29. She moved from our hometown because that’s where she met her husband, and she now has a son, my grandson, who is 1 1/2 years old. She asked me when she first got pregnant if I would move down to where they live to babysit Monday through Friday for them. Long story short, I did move. I left all my friends and family behind, although they are only two hours away. And now she decided to have him in day care, so I only babysit on an as-needed basis.

It has been and still is very hard for me being in this new city. I don’t know anybody and am still single, having left my companion when I moved down here. And it seems like the only time I see my grandson is when she needs me to babysit him. Recently, she signed him up for toddler soccer, and I told her that I wanted to go to see him play. This past Saturday, they went, and she never asked me to join them. Her husband sometimes has to work on Saturdays, and it seems like she only invites me to things when he is working and not able to attend. I am feeling kind of hurt about this but don’t want to bring it up to her because I don’t want to start a huge conversation.

I have been lonely and have been living here for a year now. I’m thinking about moving back to my hometown but I’m torn because of not being able to see my grandson as often. My question is, do you think I am being unreasonable to feel hurt that she doesn’t ask me to attend things when her husband is going? Should I move back to my hometown, which is two hours away, so I can have a social life? — Homesick

Dear Homesick: It sounds like freaked-out first-time mom was the one who requested you move to her neighborhood. Now that she’s in the groove of her parenting duties, she no longer needs the extra hands — which doesn’t mean she doesn’t appreciate you but does mean she is preoccupied with her immediate family.

Move back to your hometown and reconnect with your partner. Sitting by the phone waiting for invites does not make for a fulfilling social life.

Dear Annie: My son’s father has recently told me he wants to do everything he can for our son, who is almost 4. However, ever since our son was born, I have barely had any help. All he did was go to work in the morning and come home to play video games.

Our son used to go to his father to spend time with him only to be pushed away and told “no” because his father was busy playing a game. For that, my son is a mama’s boy, which is fine with me.

Now I’m with someone else who sees my worth, and we have a little girl due Dec. 26. We are also engaged.

I’m not sure how I feel about my son’s father suddenly wanting to be in our son’s life and claiming he will do whatever it takes. You don’t choose when you feel like being a parent. Any advice? — Stressed-Out Mom From NY

Dear Stressed-Out Mom: Yes, his paternal instinct is kicking in four years late — but for your son’s sake, it’s better late than never. He’s already missed out on moments he’ll never get back. But don’t let your resentment toward him prevent your son from ever getting to know his father. An imperfect parent is better than an absent one.

Start small. Invite your son’s father to join your family for dinner once a week. If his commitment to your son is indeed more than just a phase, gradually loosen the reins.

EDITOR’S NOTE: “How Can I Forgive My Cheating Partner?” is out now! Annie Lane’s second anthology — featuring favorite columns on marriage, infidelity, communication and reconciliation — is available as a paperback and e-book. Visit http://www.creatorspublishing.com for more information. Send your questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@creators.com.