Dear Carolyn: My younger brother (we are both adults) calls me by an old name, one I was given at birth, and have loathed since age 3, and have not willingly used since I was 10. The name I use — on my passport, paychecks, everything — is a shortened version of the given one. …
Dear Carolyn: My 15-year-old son and his stepmom, my wife of eight years, have developed such a contentious relationship that I don’t know what to do anymore. He’s not a bad kid but has a history of lying about grades, schoolwork and some really silly things like cleaning his room. I’ve been disciplining him for …
Adapted from a recent online discussion Dear Carolyn: I set up time to hang out with my 14-year-old niece, who is very sweet and also has been getting in trouble — skipping school, lying to family, etc. She reminds me so much of myself at her age. I figure I can relate to her in …
Dear Carolyn: My parents (mom and stepdad) are in their 70s, retired, healthy and doing well financially. They spend their money on traveling the globe and constantly remodeling their new Florida McMansion. That’s fine. They can spend their money on whatever makes them happy. They weren’t the most caring parents. They did provide what they …
Carolyn: I have a dilemma. My boyfriend and I have been together for 11 months. We love each other and want to get married. The problem is, he wants to have sex before we get married. I was raised to wait until marriage to have sex. I love him with all my heart, but I …
Dear Carolyn: I have been involved in our high school parent club for eight years. Each year we put out notices that parents are needed to coordinate events for students. For the last several years, a few parents have volunteered to help with events, but no one wants to coordinate. Parents are willing to give …
Hello Carolyn: My brother turned 50 (although he looks younger) several months ago. Along with the usual card and gift, I wished him a wonderful 50th on social media. That did not turn out well. He was in the process of looking for work and was going into his third and final interview with one …
Dear Carolyn: My husband lost his father in 2015 and his mother in early 2017. He has two sisters, both local with families, and he loves them both but has never been good at keeping in touch with them except as absolutely necessary. Last year (without my mother-in-law) was the first time we did not …
Hi, Carolyn: Our daughter “Annie” has moved back home at age 33 to save some money while doing postdoc work and teaching college courses. She works hard and studies for grueling hours, and she contributes to household expenses. Our daughter “Bonnie” has moved back home at 29 after a sudden breakup, bringing our 15-month-old grandchild …
Dear Carolyn: My son-in-law has a 10-year-old daughter, “M,” from a previous relationship. He and my daughter also have a 5-year-old daughter, “L,” together. I have always been careful to treat both girls the same in terms of gifts, activities, special occasions, etc. I had a step-grandmother who made an obvious show of preferring her …
