Dear Janice, my partner and I are expecting our first baby in the summer, and so far, all we’ve done is argue. We disagree on every name that’s been suggested, and now we are arguing over which school our child will attend. 

My partner is Catholic and says his religion is important to him and wants our child to be brought up in the same faith. I am not Catholic and disagree. He says his religious beliefs are stronger than mine, but he only goes to chapel every now and then, when in fact I attend church more than he does.

Our disagreements have put a dampener on the initial excitement I felt when I found out I was pregnant, and I don’t want the joy of our baby’s birth to be marred by this. How can we settle our differences? Megan.

Dear Megan, it always mystifies me why such important decisions are not at least touched upon prior to bringing a child into the world. Perhaps yours wasn’t a planned pregnancy and that’s why these matters didn’t arise.

Religion can bring comfort or conflict, but what you will discover is that most religions are not so different in their teachings. What is important is that your child grows up with the right morals, standards and values to see him or her through life.

Your partner may be under peer pressure to carry on his family’s religion, but before you make a decision it would be wise for you to attend chapel with him now and then, and for him to attend church with you. Only then will you have a better understanding of what each religion has to offer.

As for your baby’s name, leave that on the back burner for now. Keep your suggestions to yourself until your baby is born, and when it arrives I’m sure the perfect name will materialise to suit your wee bundle.

Dear Janice, my husband treated me to a weekend break in the highlands recently. It was a fairly remote hotel, so you can imagine our surprise when we spotted one of the guys in our social group at the hotel. We were about to go over to their table and make fun of them for sneaking away without telling us, (we assumed he was with his wife), but just as we approached their booth, a young female appeared and sat across from him at the table.

I was blown away and for once my husband was speechless. 

They were so wrapped up in each other that they didn’t even see us, so we left as quickly as we could and thankfully never saw them again the rest of the time we were there.

We are all due to meet up in a few weeks’ time, and we don’t know what to do or say. His wife is lovely and I’m sure she has no clue what’s going on. What should we do? Annette.

Dear Annette, you are in a no-win situation here. Dammed if you do and dammed if you don’t.

I would, however, consider the possibility that his wife does know, or has an inkling as to what her husband is up to. If she does, she may well have decided to bury her head in the sand in the hope it will blow over, and you telling her only puts her in a position she might not be ready to cope with yet.  

I think it’s best to leave her to one side and deal with the one person who is doing the damage here. Her husband. Suggest your husband meets him for a few pints and tells him exactly what you both saw. Explain that it’s not for you to spill the beans, and that it’s his decision to make.

However, I would remind him that if you both discovered his secret, then chances are it is only a matter of time until someone else does. Remember, this is their problem, not yours, so don’t stress too much over it.

Dear Janice, I have been going to the same hairdresser regularly for the last 25 years. So much so, that she has become a friend.

The problem is the last few times she has done my hair it has been a complete mess. I smiled and said thanks as I didn’t know what else to say.

I can’t go about with my hair looking a riot, but I can’t book somewhere else as I know it would offend her.  

How can I get out of this situation? Help. Jenny.

Dear Jenny, it’s winter, wear a hat! Joking. 

I know this seems like a light-hearted dilemma, but it is a problem when it comes down to it. (Unless you’re Worzel Gummidge)! 

Perhaps your long-standing hairdresser friend has lost her confidence, or perhaps she simply doesn’t want to be a hairdresser anymore, but because you are friends she finds it difficult to refuse you!

Next time your due a visit, tell her you got a Groupon voucher for Christmas for a visit to the hairdressers, and that you need to book elsewhere. 

You’ll soon know by her reaction whether you’re on the road to lovely locks again, or if you need to reach for your hat after all. Good luck.
 
Got a question for our agony aunt? Email askjanice@glasgowtimes.co.uk