ArcaMax

DEAR HARRIETTE: I am a resident assistant in my last year of college. During my time in my university's residential life department, I have seen many changes that have negatively impacted their residential staff and made it harder for us to form genuine connections with our residents. Our opinions are often overlooked as inexperienced even ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: We live in an era where the social fabric has thinned significantly. The clubs, civic organizations and community events that once brought our forefathers together are largely fading away. Opportunities for natural socialization have plummeted across the country, leaving many of us more isolated than generations past.

In this...Read more

Dear Annie: I never imagined that after raising three children, loving them through every stage and being a hands-on mother, I would end up feeling like a stranger to my own grandchildren.

My son married a woman who, at first, seemed organized and devoted. Over time, though, it has become clear that she likes to control every family ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I have an acquaintance, "Tina," who I believe is fraudulently using her GoFundMe fundraising webpage. A close friend of hers set it up a few years ago to assist with medical bills related to a rare form of cancer that will never fully go away. When the page began, Tina was soliciting donations on Facebook and sending text messages to ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My son just bought a motorcycle. I don't know if this is some version of a midlife crisis, but I need help stopping him! He is nearly 40 and a single dad. He is the only parent his daughter has, and I don't want her to lose him because he's finally found his wild side. I was a nurse for over 25 years, and during that time, I have...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My local grocery store was very busy and the checkout lines were long. I paid little attention to the lady without a cart in front of me as she spoke to someone on her phone, assuming that she was with the person in front of her.

About 10 minutes later, just before it was my turn to place my items on the belt, another lady ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I moved across the country nine years ago to be closer to my parents as they age. They are now in their early to mid-80s. My mother has recently had a few falls. One was bad enough that she had to be taken by ambulance to the ER because she was not able to stand. (I suspect some of her falling is due to having a drink or two at a ...Read more

Something I have lamented as a parent is that the cultural touchstones of episodic television were not something my kids would experience. Streaming changed the rhythm of watching TV, especially when shows arrive all at once and people watch them at different speeds. The sense that millions of people might be sitting down at the same time to ...Read more

Dear Annie: Five years ago, I lost my father to heart problems. Three months ago, I lost my mother after a terrible fall. I am 66, and I was her caregiver. I took early retirement at 62 so I could be there for her, and I do not regret it. But now that she is gone, I feel like the role I built my life around disappeared overnight, and I am not ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: Eighteen months ago, I was staying with my son and his family when they had a get-together with his wife, "Corrine's," father. His wife, Corrine's stepmother, had just finished chemo for several different types of cancer. When Corrine's dad went to leave, I offered to put together a small plate for his wife, hoping it would make her ...Read more

Dear Annie: I've been married nearly 40 years. My wife's father has passed, and her 81-year-old mother still lives on the family farm. My wife is on a loan her mother took out to buy part of that farm, and she handles everything for my mother-in-law. One of her brothers lives in the farmhouse and is a slob. He won't take off work to take their...Read more

Dear Annie: My 72-year-old father retired from his accounting job two years ago and appointed himself "Director of Operations" of my household.

He lives 15 minutes away and stops by unannounced at least three times a week. He's reorganized my garage ("Your shelving system was illogical"), corrected how my kids load the dishwasher and replaced...Read more

Dear Annie: My younger sister is getting married in June and has asked me to be her maid of honor. I was genuinely touched -- until she handed me an extensive "wish list." It includes hosting a destination bachelorette weekend (on my dime until others reimburse me), attending dress fittings three hours away on weekdays, organizing a bridal ...Read more

Yes, your children can be a link to life outside parenthood. But how?

--At their religious school, be part of the services. Join the ladies auxiliary. Volunteer to host a meeting of the parents at your home. (Put those singles nights on hold for a while; taking part in your children's lives is much more gratifying.) Your kids will be proud of ...Read more