Dear Annie: My husband retired eight months ago, and ever since then, our home has felt less like a place to relax and more like a company he has decided to manage. After years of leaving early, coming home late and barely noticing whether the bath towels matched, he is suddenly very interested in how everything is done and has strong opinions about all of it. He has started announcing new “house rules” as though he is issuing office memos. Shoes may no longer be left by the door. The dishwasher must be run only at night. Lunch should not be eaten in the den. The mail must be opened immediately. Even the dog seems exhausted.

At first, I tried to laugh it off. I told myself he was adjusting to retirement, missing structure and trying to feel useful. But the novelty has worn off, and what is left is a husband who questions how I fold laundry, reorganizes drawers I have used perfectly well for 20 years and acts as if the household has been one long, unmanaged mess waiting for his arrival.