Life Advice
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A Mother's Heartache: Reaching Out to My Son
Dear Annie: I'm reaching out with a heavy heart and a mind full of memories. My oldest son, who once called me frequently and with whom I shared countless stories over long phone calls, now seems a stranger. He's married, has two wonderful children and lives out of state. Recently, family drama -- something entirely unrelated to me -- has cast...Read more

Asking Eric: Toxic volunteer ruins charity work
Dear Eric: I belong to an organization that raises money for the less fortunate. Recently, I hosted an event to raise funds for children with disabilities. One of my guests acted very rudely toward my chef and the waitresses. I filed a complaint against this person, there was an investigation, but the results were that my complaints were not ...Read more
Rebuilding Bridge With Brother
Dear Annie: Three years ago, my older brother received a $60,000 settlement, and I believe it changed his perspective on family and our relationship. One day, he offered to loan me $5,000 to either repair my car or put a deposit on a new one. He told me to wait two days, and then he would call me to meet him at the bank.
Up until that point, ...Read more

Asking Eric: Boyfriend keeps bringing up past relationships
Dear Eric: We’re two seniors in our late 70s, dating two years. He divorced after a 50-year marriage – she initiated it. I had two short marriages early on; one child. I have had several short relationships and one seven-year relationship, though not living together. The man I’m dating is old-fashioned and unable to stop questioning me and...Read more
Finding Joy in Work: Passion or Perspective?
Dear Annie: It saddens me to see so many people who don't enjoy their jobs. I was fortunate; I spent 42 years as a teacher, and while my first year in a middle school was the toughest, the rest of my career was incredibly fulfilling. I truly loved what I did.
Beyond the classroom, I also coached two or three sports for most of my career, only...Read more
Millennial Life: Expect the World To Change -- You Don't Own It
As millennials, we were told not to have kids until we were financially responsible. The world had to be just right. Our careers should be stable. Our savings, sufficient. Our ducks? In a row. Yet, the same generation that was warned about the unpredictability of parenthood was also sold on the idea that homeownership was the key to stability. ...Read more

Asking Eric: Fairytale engagement sours friendship
Dear Eric: My friend Glenda recently got engaged to a man she's only known for nine months. I'm certain she would have married him after much less because he fits in with what an ideal or "fairytale" life looks like. She is very much a "look at me" person on social media, and having a partner after being single for so long is a real moment for ...Read more
Is Girlfriend's Snoozing a Wake-Up Call for Our Relationship?
Dear Annie: I've been with my girlfriend for 15 years. The first few years were wonderful -- no complaints. We worked together and spent a lot of time together, and everything felt great.
Then, out of nowhere, she started falling asleep -- bam! -- nodding off in social situations, especially when we were out with my parents or their friends. ...Read more

Asking Eric: Niece’s visit tests generosity
Dear Eric: My niece contacted me and said she was coming to a college reunion near me. She wondered if she and her family could stay at my home during the weekend. I was happy to have them, and they had a good time. My wife and I cooked several meals for them and loaned them a car. Their final evening, we all went out to dinner (six of them ...Read more
Living in Fear of My Neighbor
Dear Annie: I moved into my bungalow six months ago. My new neighbor, we'll call him "Jeremy," who I share a very thin party wall with, seemed friendly at first -- in fact, overly so. He called first thing every morning -- up to eight times a day -- mainly to see if I was going out that day so he could pester me to bring things back for him, ...Read more

Asking Eric: When coffee date brings a coffee date
Dear Eric: Recently I ran into a friend who invited me for coffee with another friend. I don't care for the other friend because he is misogynistic and opinionated. I didn't explain any of this and politely declined the offer, but I felt no explanation was required.
If this comes up again, do I owe this person reasons why I don't enjoy the ...Read more
Suspecting My Daughter of Stealing
Dear Annie: I have noticed things missing in my house. After visiting my daughter's house, I have noticed some of these things at her house. For example, a bracelet that I had been looking for, for months, as well as a coffee mug and a small decorative vase.
How should I go about this? Her boyfriend, who I never trusted, lives with her. I ...Read more

Asking Eric: Sister split after personal email was shared
Dear Eric: My sister (85) and I (80) have been estranged for about five years. My niece invited us for Thanksgiving dinner just before this fallout. She was also inviting relatives of her fiancé who are active Scientologists, a religion that has a well-documented distaste of homosexuals.
I am in a long-term same-sex marriage, and I expressed ...Read more
Friendship Lost to Texting
Dear Annie: I've known my friend "Ella" for over 50 years. In the last few years, for whatever reason, she only wants to communicate with me via texting. She has no medical or mental issues. I just saw her at her sister's funeral.
I've told her that I don't wish to communicate through texting only. I keep asking her why we just can't talk on ...Read more
Single File: Love Partnership (Continued)
I read in women's letters the signs of their struggle to find an answer to their quandary. The feeders of the race, the gender asked to nurture those around them, women today are asking for -- no, insisting on -- emotional reciprocity. At the same time they confide in me their fears, they insist they will not settle for less than partnership in ...Read more

Ask Dating Coach Erika
As a dating coach, I often get questions ranging from the early stages of dating—messaging on the apps, texting, date planning—to the early stages of a relationship.
Here are a few from this past week:
Question: Dated for 6 months; he broke it off and said that the timing wasn't right but hopes one day it will. Was it genuine?
Answer: I ...Read more

Ask Anna: He's the perfect boyfriend … except for his gaming obsession
Dear Anna,
I've been with my boyfriend for eight months, and overall, things are great. He's kind, funny and a dedicated teacher. The issue? When he's not working, he's gaming — sometimes six or seven hours a night. I don’t mind that he has a hobby, but it bugs me that he devotes nearly all of his free time to it. I don’t want to be the ...Read more

Asking Eric: Patient wants to date long-time dentist
Dear Eric: I have had the same dentist for the past 15 years. Within the last year, I have found myself wanting to know him on a personal level. I know he is not involved in a relationship, and he seems interested as well. How should I proceed?
– Makes Me Smile
Dear Smile: First, find a new dentist. The American Dental Association’s Code ...Read more
Dreams Don't Have Deadlines
Dear Annie: From the time I was in second grade, I knew I wanted to be a writer. But everyone around me insisted it was a terrible idea. So, I chose the "safe" path and became a teacher, spending two years in a high school English classroom before transitioning to a role as a school librarian.
I also married a man I believed was the love of ...Read more

Asking Eric: Sister and roommate refuses to learn life skills
Dear Eric: My younger sister, Lucy, and I are both in our 20s and share an apartment.
Growing up, I faced a lot of double standards from our parents compared to Lucy, especially when it came to household responsibilities. Lucy was coddled to the point of depriving her of developing basic life skills.
As adults, I end up picking up the slack ...Read more
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