ArcaMax

DEAR HARRIETTE: I am a 60-year-old mother of two adult sons, ages 38 and 32. Both of them are completely dependent on my husband and me for financial support. My husband and I have always been relatively well-off, and we never hesitated to provide them with everything they needed and wanted as they grew up. I felt it was a way to show our love ...Read more

DEAR READERS: Happy Thanksgiving! This time of year is always a favorite for me as it stands for family, community, good food and positive energy. I believe we all can appreciate a big dose of all of that right now! I trust that you are choosing to put yourself in the company of people who love you. There is nothing better than experiencing love...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I'm in the middle of planning my wedding, and as part of that, I've always dreamed of having a bachelorette trip with my closest friends in Italy. However, my bridesmaids, who I thought would be as excited as me, have expressed concerns about the trip. Many of them have said that it's simply too expensive, and that with the cost ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My mom and dad were happy celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary. Everything seemed perfect until a few days later, when my dad became distant and cold toward my mom. She started noticing the changes in his behavior, and then she found out the truth: My father has been cheating on my mother and hiding a baby that resulted ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: After the presidential election, I learned that my roommate and I do not share political views. I am sad now, and she is elated, and it is really hard to move forward. We argue whenever we talk. We have such different opinions about our world and our politics. I feel like it isn't safe to be in my house because the way we think ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I am currently working hard to complete my MBA degree, but the people around me are telling me to stop because of financial constraints. They say I should take a break to avoid the stress and costs. I've been juggling work almost day and night to make this happen, determined to finish my degree. I even have plans to pursue a Ph.D...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I am the youngest of five siblings, and although we're all adults now, I feel like my older siblings still see me as the baby of the family. No matter how much I accomplish, they continue to treat me like I'm inexperienced or don't know what I'm doing. It feels like they'll never see me as a capable adult even though I have a ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I'm in a really tough spot with my two best friends. Recently, they had a huge falling-out over something pretty serious, and it's escalated to the point where they're not speaking to each other. They've each been confiding in me about their side of the story, and while I've been trying my best to listen and be supportive, it ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I'm 32 years old, and I still don't have my driver's license. This has always been a sensitive issue for me, and while I know it's unusual at my age, I just don't feel comfortable driving. My family has been patient over the years, helping me get around whenever I need it, but lately, they've been vocal about their frustrations. ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My 20-year-old daughter recently got her cosmetology license and has started working at a salon. She's excited about her new job and the independence it brings, but now she's telling me she wants to move out and get her own apartment. She says she's ready for the next step and wants her own space to feel more "grown-up." The ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I know that gadgets are relevant today, but they can be harmful to our health, especially for our kids. I am trying to figure out how to balance this by giving my 4-year-old daughter just one hour of screen time each day. However, she sometimes exceeds this limit because I get busy and don't monitor her usage as closely as I ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and my son is about to leave for his mission to Argentina for the next two years. While I am proud of him and his decision to serve, the thought of him being so far away for so long is really hard for me. We've always been close, and I've watched him grow into such...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My friend keeps telling others about my private business, and it's starting to feel like a real betrayal. I recently started seeing someone new, and because my friend and I are very close, I shared the news with her. I was excited to tell her, and I trusted her to keep it between us. But almost immediately, I started hearing from...Read more

DEAR READERS: I got resounding comments from many of you calling me out for my response to the woman whose husband was pushing her to try to have a son after she had already given birth to five daughters. I accept your input and want to share some of it now.

DEAR HARRIETTE: The surest way to add a boy to your family is to adopt a boy! There are...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: Disciplining children is a critical aspect of parenting, but it can be challenging to determine the most effective methods. Recently, I've noticed that my 7-year-old son has been misbehaving, ignoring rules and testing boundaries. In the heat of the moment, I sometimes find myself resorting to physical consequences, such as a ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I have a 16-year-old sister who is currently facing the challenges of being a high school student. With the pressure to excel academically and socially, she often feels overwhelmed and stressed, striving to meet the high expectations set by herself and others. I've noticed that this stress sometimes manifests as anxiety and mood ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I am a 30-year-old Ph.D. student studying psychology, and I feel like my many years of education have gotten in the way of my romantic relationships. I've spent so much time focused on my studies and career that dating has often taken a back seat. The rare times I do meet someone, I struggle to balance the demands of my program ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My mother is turning 90 this year, and we are absolutely thrilled. As we have been planning her birthday celebration, it has occurred to me that I want to be sensitive to my friends who have lost their parents in recent years. We all grew up together, so I want to invite them to attend her party, but I don't want to remind them ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: There's this guy I've been interested in for a while now. We have great chemistry, and every time we hang out, I find myself liking him more. The problem is, he's already gone after three of my friends. Each time, he's flirted with one of them or dated them briefly, and even though none of those relationships turned serious, it's...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I love my mom, but I just can't trust her with any sensitive information. Every time I share something personal or private, she turns around and tells my family, her friends and even acquaintances, and it's incredibly frustrating. For example, I'll confide in her about something going on in my life, and the next time I see a ...Read more