DEAR MISS LONELYHEARTS: When I was 15, my girlfriend lied to me about taking the birth-control pill and she got pregnant. Her Catholic parents shipped her off to an aunt and uncle in Quebec.

She rarely got to call me, but I heard that our baby girl was born with curly blond hair and big eyes, and looked just like me. She was put up for adoption.

My girlfriend was warned by her aunt and uncle in Quebec never to have anything to do with me again if she wanted to continue living with them. Her mother didn’t want her back in Winnipeg after the birth either, because it had been an ordeal for her.

Once our daughter graduated from high school in Quebec (where she was adopted) and became an adult, she sought me out. (I have an odd last name and wasn’t hard to track down.)

DEAR MISS LONELYHEARTS: A month ago, I moved in with a gorgeous guy, way too quickly it turns out, as he started trying to run my life.

He had me get up at 7 a.m. with him, working out. He made us high-protein breakfasts and watched every morsel I ate. He put me on the scale to check my weight every day.

He told me he would buy me glasses “for work only,” but he would need to check them out first to see if they’re the right style on me, as I have a “too-round” face.

He’s been buying me real jewelry and clothes he pushes me to wear, but I don’t feel like myself anymore. I feel like his doll. He won’t stop trying to control me.

DEAR MISS LONELYHEARTS: My man and I get a kick out of watching reality TV shows about people searching for their biological birth parents, estranged half-siblings and other relatives. But can you explain why we only see stories that have been cherry-picked for happiness and feel-good results?

That’s simply not realistic! I’d prefer to see the whole situation — the good, the bad and the ugly stuff.

— Feeling Ripped-Off, St. Norbert

Dear Feeling Ripped-Off: You have to remember that these shows do feature real-life people, in real situations, even if they are somewhat staged at times for dramatic effect. It would be cruel and painful to feature family meetups that went badly or were hurtful and sad for everybody involved.

DEAR MISS LONELYHEARTS: My new lady friend is lively and full of herself, and a lot of fun to be around.

My recently deceased wife was quiet and sweet, and not interested much in socializing. It wasn’t a passionate marriage, but more a cheerful friendship. My new woman, on the other hand, likes a good argument, as it revs her up in every way.

Not all of my friends like her and that is a bit of a problem. To try to get rid of her, my drinking buddies are now clumsily trying to introduce me to different women.

In my age group, there are starting to be widows, more divorcees and also a few singles, but I’m not an enthusiastic dater. I’m a bit shy.

DEAR MISS LONELYHEARTS: I’ve had it. My unemployed husband and my lazy son, who is in his first year of university, stay in bed while I go to work at the hospital for the day. Half the time my son doesn’t even get up to make it to his morning classes.

Today, I finally lost it and tipped my son’s mattress so he fell out on the floor. Then I yelled at him and handed him a list of undone chores to be completed by the time I got home.

As for my husband, he and I had it out last night about him not even looking for a job. He said he was depressed. I said, “Boo-hoo. It’s time to man up.”

I was not always like this. I used to be a really nice person — a loving wife and mother. But now I feel so used and abused, I just can’t take it anymore. While it’s true I make good money, that doesn’t excuse the two of them from pulling their weight.

DEAR MISS LONELYHEARTS: Nothing could be worse. My ex-wife has come back to Winnipeg from another city, as she got her old job back with the company where I work, plus a fat promotion according to our office gossip.

I was shocked. They didn’t used to do rehires, but I guess she was special. They chased her and got her back because she is “the best in the world at what she does.” At least, that’s what she told me today.

I don’t want her back here, even though it’s a big company, because the truth is I never really got over her. It took a couple of years before I stopped missing her and thinking about her. My family knows how hard the breakup was for me.

But this company doesn’t care. I just have to bite the bullet because she will help the big boys make more money. Any suggestions?

DEAR MISS LONELYHEARTS: I opened the door on my birthday and got a big shock. My dad was standing there grinning sheepishly and holding out a big wrapped gift. I invited him in, although it had been several years since I’d seen him. He hesitated on the steps but asked for just a few minutes with me inside.

Twenty minutes later his phone rang and it was his female friend outside wanting to come in from his truck. Who knew she was sitting out there? I didn’t. I said to invite her in, so she came to the door.

Imagine my surprise when I recognized her as the babysitter from when my parents used to take dance lessons together just before they got divorced. I told her I knew who she was and my dad’s face went red.

So now I have a big problem. Do I tell my mom? Does she already know? And what about this possibility: was my dad chasing our babysitter way back when? I’m scared to ask my mom, but who should I talk to?