Columns

“After our parents told us they don’t want a 50th anniversary party, but just time together as a family, my sister planned a trip for them with her family, excluding me”

I am engaged to a wonderful man whom I met through his brother, “Eric” and his brother’s now ex-wife. I was very close with the ex-wife and it was tragic for everyone when they divorced 2½ years ago. Eric entered into another serious relationship with “Gail” within six months of being separated. Everyone tried very hard to try to get to know Gail, but she gives off the vibe that she is just not interested in forming a relationship with the family. She chooses not to go to most family events and, when she comes, separates herself from the family. For example, she went to the beach for a few days with…

My friend’s child lacks manners and it’s driving me nuts. I am talking with my friend at a holiday get-together and the little terror – ‘LT’ for short – wants his daddy’s attention. What little boy doesn’t, right? “Dad!” I’m mid-conversation. “Dad!” We keep talking. “Dad! Dad! Dad!” I stop, wondering if LT might realize that it would be polite if he patiently waited until his father finished the sentence that was still coming out of said father’s mouth. Clap clap clap! “Daddy, I’m talking to you!” Clap clap clap! Trust me, LT, he knows; it would be difficult not to. But that doesn’t stop the father from trying. Clap clap clap….

I am about to turn 35. I’ve always been self-conscious about my appearance because I am a plus-size girl. I have been happily married for 12 years. I have been in love two times in my life — once, with my first love in high school and, second, with my husband. He was with his baby’s mom when I met him. I never pursued anything then but saw him a few years later after they broke ties. We hooked up, and I have been faithful ever since. I never cheated on him. Ever. We have been together for 16 years and married for 12. I absolutely, whole-heartedly love this man. I consider…

My sister-in-law is 20 years old, is a junior in college, and is dating a man 10 years her senior. They have only been together for a year, and she just announced that she is expecting. Though we have only been around him a few times, her boyfriend is non-engaging, gives one word answers to questions, and does not appear very interested in her. My husband is 15 years older than his sister and has been a parental figure in her life. When she announced her pregnancy, he called her boyfriend and asked him to meet so that they could discuss his intentions. He asked for the boyfriend to get back to…

This crisis has been stressing my family for over TWO weeks. I’d like an outsider’s opinion. Here’s the story, names changed, as briefly as I can tell it: Tom and Mary have been dating for almost two years. Tom invited Mary to go on a cruise. Tom asked his mother, Julia, if she would be available to babysit his dog. Julia agreed and then told her daughter, Tom’s sister, Ann, about the cruise. Ann had been planning to give Mom a cruise for Christmas, so booked herself and Mom on the same cruise. When Tom told Mary, Mary was disappointed. Mary had been looking forward to a romantic cruise, and now Mom…

“After several years of being a single (shared-custody) dad, I have remarried to a wonderful woman. Unfortunately, my 10-year-old daughter did not have time to get to know her well before the new wife moved in.”

A few years ago, following a split with my long-term partner, I met a man half my age and we began a relationship that was more friendship and support although we did have sex initially. We have remained very good friends since. On meeting my current partner, we discussed many things about our pasts, this being one of them. I was open and honest about it and said we were now best friends. I introduced them at my current partner’s request. Following the meeting he said he felt there was still something between us. It’s true, we love each other as friends. He said he didn’t think I should see him alone…