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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. The insistent…

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 when 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…

It’s time again for Shortcuts. For every question, I’ll give my advice in just a few sentences because sometimes the answer to a person’s question is so obvious and the need to hear it so great that being as clear and frank as possible is simply the best way to go.

I am a 21-year-old female who is currently working for an interior decorating company owned by a husband and his wife. A month ago, I had to go to a college far from where I live to write an exam and I didn’t know where the place was so my boss (the husband) offered to take me. I was not happy about that because he is very annoying, however, I was in no position to refuse the offer. While traveling, we discovered our mutual love for rock and heavy metal music. When he dropped me off after my exam I could tell that there was a weird vibe between us. Two days…

My boyfriend and I have been together for about a year and a half now. We have been talking very seriously about moving in together and getting married. Within the last month, he was diagnosed with Stage 2b Ewing’s Sarcoma. The week after the diagnoses I drove him two hours every day to visit doctors and have tests done. We discussed him moving in with me and I would be his primary caregiver. His mom, who before has never had an issue with me, got in contact with me and demanded that he move in with her. There was no discussion about it and he moved in, an hour away from me….

My husband of nearly 19 years and I were separated but close to reconciling when, after an argument, he met a girl on Tinder, 15 years younger than I am but quite unattractive. Within two weeks, she sent ovulation charts, declared undying love, talked of lying in graves in a hundred years, booked a trip to Bali and moved into the hotel he was staying at at the time. Now after six months of seeing each other on weekends only, she has moved into his room in a shared house. My therapist is utterly convinced she has BPD, and, having read dozens of articles, I agree. He texts me morning till night…

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…