Please send your questions for publication to prudence@slate.com.

Dear Prudence,

The holidays are long gone, but the family problems are still here. My son left home, full of hostility, to "find himself." He's educated and hard working. The place where he felt happy was at his girlfriend's home. Her parents have a different lifestyle. There is a mother who rivals Martha Stewart and a father who earns a good salary. (I'm a single mom who struggled to raise two kids, both of whom went through college.) My son got their sympathy by making me out to be the wicked witch who threw him out of the house. (Not true.) Now that he has married this girl—they live several states away—when they come to visit they stay with her family. There are many parties during these times, and I am always invited at the last minute—via e-mail.

With all the bad stories about me, I feel defensive. And my lifestyle isn't like theirs—no nice home, a lot less money. The only thing I have to offer is myself. I'm a very interesting, traveled person, and do things many don't do. As a creative person I tell a good story and meet wonderful people. The girl's mother is a social climber who likes to surround herself with ... well, you know. She'd feel less trapped if I lived on the moon. That way she could have the newlyweds all to herself. That also would avoid the tension between my son and me, or should I say, the discrepancy of stories? Yes, I do contact the other mother by phone just to say "hello," but she never reciprocates the gesture. I know the couple has come to town and never contacted me. Perhaps you have some ideas.

—Mrs. Globetrotter

Dear Mrs. Globe,

Prudie, indeed, has some ideas, but doubts they are the ones you might be expecting. Something has gone on in your relationship with your son that you are either not reporting or are unable to recognize and admit. A youngster does not become "full of hostility," aimed at his mother, for no reason. Children do not make up "bad stories" to get in good with a girlfriend's family, nor do they crave "sympathy." Children do not switch allegiance to the beloved's family because they have a nicer house. Your version is skewed and, Prudie might add, tinged with a whiff of victimhood and self-pity, not to mention competitiveness with your son's in-laws. Your very interesting, well-traveled, creative self may have been so self-involved that when the young man had the chance, he made a break for it. It is also possible that the "social-climbing mother" is cool to you not because she is snobbish, but because she knows you make her son-in-law uncomfortable. Prudie suggests you take another (realistic) look at what's gone on between you and your son. And if Prudie's instincts are incorrect—and everything is as you say—you still cannot change your son's feelings about you. As for the parties, one thing about not being invited is you don't have to make excuses to leave early.

—Prudie, directly

Dear Prudence,

I am a demure lit. major with a strong aversion to sorority girls—a prejudice, I admit. Unfortunately, I live next door to three, which is often more like six because sorority girls tend to accumulate. The problem is that they are incapable of having a conversation. They can't communicate without yelling, growling, and sound effects. (They also squeal and make barfing noises, but that is neither here nor there.) The problem is that their ruckus interrupts my reading or wakes me up. I have tried to be good-natured about it and have gone over to ask will-you-please-be-quiet-thank-you. This request is met with more noise outside my door. What would be your couth response to my inconsiderate neighbors?