ArcaMax

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

DEAR HARRIETTE: I am still friends with my high school besties, "Erica" and "Celine." Erica became a registered nurse and moved abroad for work, while Celine is working in Dubai and enjoying a good life, even though she hasn't finished college. I have a master's degree in business administration, but I'm currently unemployed and waiting for ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My 9-year-old daughter recently went over to her friend's house for a playdate. She was so excited to spend time with her friend, and everything seemed fine when I dropped her off. However, when I went to pick her up, her friend's mom pulled me aside and made a comment that really caught me off guard. She criticized my parenting ...Read more

DEAR READERS: I had a baby three months ago, and now it's time for me to go back to work. The thought of being away from my child is filling me with dread. I've used up all of my maternity leave and vacation time, so staying home longer isn't an option through work. I love my career, but the idea of leaving my baby in someone else's care feels ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I was in a clandestine relationship with a guy for most of this year. We hit if off after meeting on the street. We had a lot of fun together, but I always felt like I was putting forth more effort than him. One day I confronted him about not being more responsive, and he quipped back that if I wanted to be with him, I had to ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My friend "Fred's" daughter's birthday was approaching, and her friends wanted to surprise her. All of her friends met and shared their ideas for what to do. When her birthday arrived, they surprised her with balloons and food. To everyone's surprise, one of the guests blew out the candle for the birthday girl, which made her ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I am the president of the parent-teacher association at my daughter's school, and at a recent meeting, the principal suggested that it is mandatory for us to buy food from the school canteen so that all the kids will have the same food and not feel jealous or envious of others who have more expensive options. What do you think I ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: Three years ago, I had a falling-out with a woman who, at the time, had been my best friend for eight years. Our friendship was one of those rare, deep connections that felt more like family than just friends. We went to the same college, were in each other's weddings and spent so much time together that we'd see each other at ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My husband and I live in Wisconsin and are fortunate to own a second lakeside property. Over the years, we've extended invitations to various loved ones, offering them the chance to stay and enjoy the lake. Recently, my husband's close friends asked if they could spend a weekend at the cabin with their family, and we said yes. ...Read more

DEAR READERS: I am claiming this space to celebrate my mother -- and, in turn, all mothers in our lives.

Today, my mother turns 95 years old. When I spoke to her a few days before her birthday, she said, "Well, this is not as far as my mother." Her mother, Carrie Elizabeth Alsup Freeland, a woman who stood a strong 4'9" tall, lived powerfully ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My boyfriend is incredibly stingy. We get along well in many ways, but when it comes to money, he's not what I expected. He never offers to pay for our dates. It's not that I mind splitting the bill sometimes, but I've noticed that he never makes any effort to treat me, even on special occasions. He's also extremely reluctant to ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I'm in my early 30s, and for as long as I can remember, I've dreamed of having kids. My husband, however, is not on the same page -- he's made it clear that he's not ready for children and may never be.

I tried to respect my husband's feelings, but as time passed, my anxiety about waiting grew stronger. Eventually, I decided to ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My husband and I have been married for 10 years. When we first got together, he was active and in great shape. Over the years, he has gained a significant amount of weight, and his chronic obesity has now become a huge wedge in our relationship. I still love him deeply, but this drastic change in his health has impacted many ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I fear that I may have raised an "iPad child." My daughter is 4 years old, and for over a year now, she's been glued to her iPad. It started out as a way to keep her entertained while I handled other tasks around the house. As a parent, sometimes I just need a moment of quiet, and the iPad seemed like an easy, harmless way to get...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: As a new mom to my precious 3-month-old, I'm experiencing a whirlwind of emotions, from joy to an overwhelming sense of isolation and loneliness. While I adore my baby and cherish these early moments, I can't help but miss my old social life and the freedom I used to enjoy. It feels like my friends have drifted away, caught up in...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My husband and I have been arguing a lot all year long, if I am honest. We have had a few screaming matches recently that ended up with me saying it was over unless we could get along better. Miraculously, my husband has been acting nicer -- nothing earth-shattering, but there have been fewer arguments and more pleasantness. ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I'm in a really tough situation with my mom, who has been going through so much lately. She's on dialysis for six hours four times a week, and she has been waiting for a kidney donor for almost a year now. I just returned from Brazil and found out that I'm a match, and I'm willing to donate my kidney to her. My mom is refusing to...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I wanted to offer another option to "Overweight," the woman hurt by her brother's comments about her post-pregnancy weight. Could she not go a step further and ask him to babysit for an hour or two a few times a week, so she can have time to herself, to sleep or cook or exercise? Or could he contribute to a healthy meal delivery ...Read more