DEAR ABBY: My husband has a nasty behavior of forgetting to lock up our home at night time when he is the final one to return to mattress. On 9 events, I’ve gone downstairs after he is in mattress or woke up within the morning to seek out our sliding patio door or a storage door unlocked.

I can’t perceive why this is not a precedence for him. If I am the final one to return up for the night time, I ensure every door is locked, lights are off, and so on. It takes me lower than a minute. We dwell in a suburb, and whereas our neighborhood is comparatively protected and quiet, I am not naive. I notice something can occur wherever.

We’ve got two giant canine, however I don’t know how they’d react to an intruder. Frankly, I do not wish to discover out the arduous approach. Probably the most irritating factor about that is, when I attempt to discuss to him about it the subsequent day, he blows it off and says our canine would by no means let anybody get far, or he makes a joke about it. I’ve tried many alternative approaches, from being calm and candy to solutions-focused: “How can I show you how to keep in mind?”

Not too long ago, doubtless as a result of I am 37 weeks pregnant with our second baby, I misplaced it and chewed him out after I waddled away from bed to go downstairs and located our sliding door unlocked. Evidently, it did not work very effectively.

I am at my wits’ finish. It was one factor when it was simply the 2 of us, however now we’re about to have two youngsters below 2, and I get livid considering he could possibly be placing all of us at risk. He has taken no duty or steps towards fixing this.

I’ve now reached the conclusion that after I’m dwelling, I have to be the one who assumes the duty of guaranteeing our house is safe earlier than we go to mattress. However what if I go to sleep early or if I’ve to journey for work? Any concepts on tips on how to tackle this with him? — LOSING SLEEP OVER THIS

DEAR LOSING: You may have already addressed this together with your husband. That he’s so careless in regards to the security of his spouse and kids is surprising. He seems to be very immature.

As a result of he appears incapable of assuming any duty for locking up, you’re going to must do it. There are high-tech methods to remotely lock doorways from afar, and it is best to discover that possibility.

Additionally, in your personal peace of thoughts, have knowledgeable canine coach or different skilled canine particular person enter your own home by way of the unlocked door whilst you and your husband are upstairs as a result of, whereas the canine won’t assault a stranger, they may warn you to the presence of an intruder. I recommend this as a result of a few years in the past my very tame German shepherd did precisely that.

DEAR ABBY: As a result of coronavirus epidemic, handshaking is not being practiced. I’ve by no means been a fan of handshaking anyway. Sooner or later, it might be acceptable to forgo handshaking altogether. What might be one of the simplest ways to keep away from it with out seeming unfriendly or germophobic? — RESISTING IN MINNESOTA

DEAR RESISTING: Strive doing what I do. I place each palms collectively in entrance of my chest as if praying, smile and greet the particular person. Nobody has been offended by it, and it is a widespread approach individuals greet one another in India.

DEAR READERS: Together with the thousands and thousands of Individuals who’re observing this Memorial Day, I add my prayer of thanks for these brave women and men who sacrificed their lives in service to our nation. Could they relaxation in peace. — ABBY

Pricey Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also referred to as Jeanne Phillips, and was based by her mom, Pauline Phillips. Contact Pricey Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Field 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.