ArcaMax

DEAR HARRIETTE: At 36, after I've spent 10 years as a devoted housewife and raising our three boys, my husband's recent job loss due to health-related issues has brought us to a crossroads: How can I return to work? I had a thriving career before deciding to focus on our family, but the thought of reentering the workforce after such a long break...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: Today at my bakery, I received a delightful surprise: a box of freshly picked wildflowers left on the doorstep with a card that read, "For the sweetest baker in town." This unexpected gesture filled my day with warmth and gratitude, prompting me to reflect on the importance of small acts of kindness. I recently opened my business...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I am a mother of two teenage daughters, ages 14 and 16, and their constant fighting is driving me insane. It seems like every day there's a new argument, whether it's about sharing clothes, using the bathroom or even the smallest things, such as who gets to sit in the front seat of the car. I've tried talking to them individually...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I am a 26-year-old woman from Cincinnati. I started a new job a few months ago, and I've developed a crush on one of my co-workers. He's kind and funny, and we get along really well. I look forward to seeing him at work, and I think there might be a spark between us. However, I'm hesitant to make a move because I'm worried about ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My husband and I are in our early 50s, and we've been arguing a lot lately. The main source of our tension is our lack of retirement savings. We've both worked hard all our lives, but due to various circumstances, we haven't managed to put much away for our future. We're both feeling the pressure as retirement approaches, and it'...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I recently started dating a nice man who is attentive when we are in each other's company, but he is largely absent during the day. He rarely calls or checks in as the day progresses and generally sends me a text message in the evening. He used to work nights and I think he is still on an odd sleep schedule, but I don't like it. ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My friend recently told me that she thinks we shouldn't be friends anymore because I am so closed off. This has hurt me because I value our friendship, but I also understand where she is coming from. I am naturally introverted, and I tend to keep my thoughts and feelings to myself. It's not that I don't care about her or our ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: Six months ago, my grandmother passed away and left me a significant inheritance. I'm 24, and my 25-year-old husband unexpectedly quit his job without consulting me, believing the inheritance meant he would no longer need to work. I had made it clear that we needed to save the money for our future and continue living as we were. ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I'm facing an absolutely disheartening situation involving my fiance and my grandmother, who raised me single-handedly due to my parents' struggles with addiction. My grandmother has always been my rock, and now, with her health declining, there's pressure from my fiance to move her into a nursing home. He's adamant about not ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My sister recently had a baby, and while I am happy for her, I can't help but feel a deep sense of jealousy. My husband and I have been trying for a child for 10 years, and this is a milestone we've been dreaming of reaching. Seeing my sister achieve it so effortlessly -- especially since she is five years younger than me -- has ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I moved to New York City this summer, and a friend of mine wanted to stay with me for a weekend. However, the weekend didn't go as well as I had hoped. My friend seemed to expect me to know everything about the city, even though I've only lived here for three weeks. She relied entirely on me for directions, and when we inevitably...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I'm reaching out for your advice regarding my elderly neighbor, "Mrs. Thompson." Over the years, we've developed a good connection, and I've gladly assisted her with tasks like fetching her mail and running occasional errands. However, Mrs. Thompson has been increasingly dependent on me for these tasks. While I genuinely want to ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I am a housewife and mother of nine children, ranging from toddlers to teenagers. Yesterday, my husband told me he wants a divorce. He says he no longer loves me and believes we should part ways. I have to face the reality of supporting our large family on my own. He proposes splitting custody of the children, but I have no clue ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I have a close group of six friends. "Jane" has always been tight on money, and we've often covered her expenses without much fuss, since the other five chip in. Whether it's going to movies, restaurants or clubs, it's been fine. However, things changed when she started bringing her boyfriend along; now he freeloads off of us, ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My husband is upset with me for not buying him the shoes he wanted. Last Mother's Day, he got me a $20 salad bowl. Normally, I'd appreciate any gift, but then I saw what he bought for his mom, sister and cousin: The items ranged from $450 to $500 and were thoughtfully chosen. I'm usually generous and love making my loved ones ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: Every chance he gets, my boyfriend says, "I don't have any money." He works in the fitness community, whereas I am employed in a corporate setting; I earn significantly more than him, but he has a more robust savings account.

Despite my higher income, I also have more responsibilities within my family, so I tend to spend more ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: Planning to tell my girlfriend about me being gay feels like stepping into an emotional unknown. We met through a mutual friend two years ago, and I was drawn to her beauty from the beginning. In our year together, she doesn't know about my past with guys. Lately, I've been feeling more attracted to men again, and even though I ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I'm 29 years old, and I've been dating my boyfriend for a few years now. We have a great relationship; however, his work-life balance has been an issue. My boyfriend works long hours and is often preoccupied with his job, even during our personal time together. While I understand that his career is important and allows him to ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I've been in a committed relationship for over seven years, but recently, my partner's attitude toward my disability has shifted. As someone who uses a wheelchair due to a spinal injury, I've always appreciated my partner's support. However, lately, they've started making decisions for me without consulting me, assuming I can't ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I've known I was gay since I was a teenager, but I only recently came out to my family and close friends. It was a huge relief to be open about my identity, but now I'm facing a lot of judgment. My family comes from a military background, and they have made it clear that they do not approve of my sexuality. Despite their love for...Read more