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

Dear Prudie,

I know it's not my business, but I am dying for a grandchild, and my only son and his wife seem to have no plans in that direction. They are both very career-oriented, and my son takes great pride in ballyhooing his wife's progress at her company. My daughter-in-law is already in her 30s, and if she  can't hear her biological clock ticking, I can. I am trying so hard not to be a buttinsky, but do you think there's some way I can encourage them in a direction I know would be rewarding for them?

—Would-Be Grandma

Dear Would,

You must try a little harder to keep out of it. This decision has nothing to do with you. Maybe they're waiting, maybe they're not. Prudie can think of no more personal decision than whether to have children. And there's always the possibility that they're trying and not having any luck. If you value a good relationship with your kids, do not bring the subject up. It may be that your daughter-in-law is one of those women who, if she wants to hear the pitter patter of little feet, will put shoes on the cat.

—Prudie, privately

Dear Prudie,

My hubby of 21 years is a "nice" guy who is just plain clueless about life, love, money, how to communicate, and how to treat a woman. I have covered for him, worked around him, done all the work for him, made excuses for him, and held him up as the head of the household to the kids. But now my arms are tired! He is a selfish oaf and I'm just plain tired. I never was "in love" with him. We married too young because we had to. (I was pregnant.) My life is half over and I'm afraid if I don't get out now, more time will waste away and my regrets will continue to grow. We have kids ranging from 10 to teens. I have stayed "for the children," but at some point I need to pull myself together and have some self-respect. He shows little respect for me, and the kids have picked up on that. Do I sit tight until the kids are grown, or get out now when I am only 42? And how do I get out? Is there a how-to book on this? Thanks.

—Kitty