Dear Annie: For years, I worked nights as a police and fire dispatcher while raising two school-age children. After getting off at 7 a.m., I would get home around 7:30, take care of a few things and be in bed by 8:30. That gave me just enough time to sleep before picking up the kids at 3 p.m., unless my cousin called.

He had a habit of calling me around 10:30 or 11 in the morning, waking me up right in the middle of what was, for me, the equivalent of the middle of the night. I would ask if it was an emergency, and he would get defensive, saying I should be happy he was checking on family. According to him, I should be grateful. So, one day, I decided to take his logic for a spin.

While working a night shift, I waited until around 2 a.m., what I figured would be the middle of his night’s sleep, and gave him a call. When he answered, sounding alarmed, I said cheerfully, “Nothing’s wrong, I just wanted to see how you’re doing. You should be glad I called. After all, we are family.”

There was a long pause. Then he said, “OK. I get it. No more non-emergency calls during your night.”

What surprises me most is that he used to work nights himself as an EMT and paramedic. Of all people, I thought he would understand.

I love your column and just wanted to share this little story in case you ever want to use it, or to ask, why is it so hard for people to respect the sleep schedules of night shift workers? — Tired But Tactical

Dear Tired: Sometimes the best lessons are the ones we deliver with a little humor and perfect timing. Well done. And you are right; respecting a night shift worker’s sleep should be common sense, especially for someone who has been there.

Send your questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@creators.com.