My controlling stepdad is always on my back – I don’t want to argue with him but I’m fuming

DEAR DEIDRE: MY stepdad’s so controlling. He’s always on my back and even found fault with me when I went out for a few drinks with friends recently.

I’m a 34-year-old woman. I have recently split up with my long-term partner and for financial reasons have moved back home.

It’s only temporary until I get back on my feet.

He is 64 and my mum is 62. They married six years ago.

He’s always making “helpful suggestions” such as cutting back on luxuries or taking a second job, so that I can get my own place soon.

I try to ignore him because I don’t want to start a row but when he had a pop at me for going out the other night I was fuming.

I want to tell him to mind his own business but for my mum’s sake I have kept quiet.

DEIDRE SAYS:  Returning home was never going to be easy but you are an adult and entitled to a social life, whether your stepdad approves of this or not.

You don’t have to pretend to like him, or approve of his behaviour.

But it might help to remind yourself that this man, I assume, makes your mum happy.

My support pack Standing Up For Yourself will help you talk to him calmly.