ArcaMax

DEAR HARRIETTE: Being an aunt is such a precious role. I love all my nieces and nephews as if they're my own children, and it feels as though my siblings are raising all our children as a "village."

Sometimes my niece confides in me with things that she doesn't want to share with her parents. I appreciate that I can be a voice of reason for her...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Where should I park my shopping cart while browsing a grocery section and/or reading ingredient labels?

I park my cart in the middle of the aisle, thereby allowing other shoppers to view the same items. This also lets me step out of the way to allow passersby through. I feel that other shoppers feel hurried when I wait for ...Read more

Dear Annie: I was really excited when I landed my dream job a few months ago. It has great pay and a title that can really take me places. But now, just a few months in, I'm pulling my hair out. We're in our "busy season," which means lots of late nights and working weekends. Every time I finish one assignment, two more pop up. My problem isn'...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My partner recently allowed a friend to stay in our home without telling me in advance. My partner knows unannounced guests deeply affect my mental well-being and sense of safety. We had agreed I would be given at least two weeks' notice for any visitors. That did not happen because the guest was going through a difficult time.

While...Read more

Opening your mouth isn't only for feeding; it's also for complaining. But let's face it: Most women don't have much experience expressing negative opinions. Our function as the calmer of troubled waters is so deeply ingrained that it's almost a genetic trait. We've been conditioned to skirt around confrontation and head-on collisions in any form...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My husband and I are experiencing a rough patch. At least, that's what I thought it was. I am going through an extremely important moment in my career and education, and it feels like my husband hasn't been supportive. As I was preparing to present my dissertation, he seemed increasingly agitated -- picking small fights about ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: We face an awkward situation with my mom. She is chronically unwise with her money, taking frequent international vacations that leave her without enough money for necessary items.

We are not willing to give her the monthly allowance she wants because it would be a hardship to us, and also because if she followed a budget, ...Read more

Dear Annie: I am a woman in my early 40s, living several states away from the town where I grew up. My relationship with my parents has always been complicated, especially with my mother, and for the last 25 years I have also been estranged from my older sister. She still lives near my parents, while I built my life far away.

The issue comes ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My 32-year-old son has an alcohol problem. He and his wife refuse to accept reality and continue to be social drinkers. My son deals with his problem by putting his head in the sand. He refuses to talk to us or answer any of our texts or calls.

When he does decide to join us for a holiday or other occasion, my son acts like nothing ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My friends and I were planning a surprise baby shower for our other friend. I have been the main person planning everything and have been working hard to keep this a surprise. However, I just found out that one of the girls accidentally spilled the beans about it two weeks ago, and no one told me. I am beyond irritated because no...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: When did it become de rigueur to wish every woman you see, for an entire week, a happy Mother's Day?

When I was growing up, Mother's Day and Father's Day were days that you did something nice for or with the respective parent. Unless a person was a close friend, you didn't ask "What are you doing for Mother's Day?" out of ...Read more

Dear Annie: My husband is a wonderful man in many ways, but lately I feel more like the household manager than his wife. We both work full time, yet somehow I am still the one remembering birthdays, scheduling appointments, keeping track of the groceries, planning family events and noticing when something around the house needs to be done. If ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I'm 43, and I have been married and divorced three times. I have three adult children and a 13-year-old. My last divorce was final a few weeks ago. I was sure she was The One. Now she now wants to give us nine months and see if we are going to reconcile.

I am confused. Years ago, before I married the first time, I thought I was ...Read more