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Dear Breakup Girl,

My long term friend and I started dating and moved in together. I have known him for years, but living together just didn't work out. During our friendship, I got to know his family pretty well; they are terrific.

Now he is telling them a really, really skewed version of the breakup. I wish they knew the true story and would love to fill them in, but the mature, logical part of me doesn't want to cut him down in front of his family. I'm having a hard time thinking that they are thinking bad things about me. Should I take the high road and drop it? What is proper breakup etiquette for the family?

-- Misty

Dear Misty,

It's great that you had terrific "in-laws" -- and maddening to think that people you think highly of might think poorly of you. Still, in breakups, alas, we often lose custody of...the parents. Besides, surely your "mature, logical part" will remind you that "cutting him down in front of his family" would defeat your face-saving purpose in the first place. All I can offer is: write them a lovely, vague, and brief note saying that it was a pleasure to get to know them. (Do that, and don't be surprised if they ask him to reconsider.)

Love,
Breakup Girl

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