Dear Prudence,
I come from a close family where everyone is successfully paired up except for my twin brother “Paul.” Last year, Paul finally got out of his toxic on-and-off relationship after his ex took a hammer to his car.
But now Paul has been dating desperately, picking unhinged girlfriends, and dumping them on us during family gatherings. I spent my grandmother’s birthday being held hostage in conversation by one who was convinced that she was psychic. One tried to sell us essential oils. There was also the Trumper who wanted to be a tradwife (we are firmly Democrats). The last one picked a fight over Palestine with our Jewish sister in front of her kids.
Everyone is sick to death of this pattern and has collectively elected me to be the one who has to have the come-to-Jesus conversation with my brother. I love Paul and have been urging him to seek a counselor for years. He is convinced he just hasn’t found “the One.” My brother is good-looking, funny, and has a great job. He would be a catch by any measure but seems to only catch these type of women. Where do I even begin? Or at least, how do I get him to stop bringing them to family events? My wife’s birthday is coming up and I think she might kill me if more drama is dumped on us.
—No New Dates