| Date | Title | Description |
| 03.11.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: New member’s cologne causing choir concerns | – Sunday Sniffles
Dear Sunday:
If her cologne’s notes of sandalwood and bergamot are obstructing your high notes, it’s a whole choir problem. So, you should kick it back up the org. chart (up the octave?).
Tell the music director that, for ... |
| 02.11.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Manipulative ex offers money and declares love | I trust my partner, and I know there’s no funny business happening. I also feel this isn’t healthy for anyone.
He’s mentioned in the past how he feels obligated to her (she saved his life a long time ago). I also do not believe he’s been fo... |
| 01.11.2024 | Navigating Family Dynamics: The Tightrope of Care and Connection | Family dynamics can be as tangled as a ball of yarn. Each thread represents a relationship, a history, a shared experience. When it comes to caring for aging parents or mending rifts among siblings, the stakes rise. The challenge is not jus... |
| 01.11.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Mother wants heirlooms back from daughter-in-law after separation | Before you reach out, it’s wise to loop your son in about your plans. He may have already made arrangements for the items as part of their mediation – or whatever process they’re using to negotiate their separation. Or he may request that y... |
| 31.10.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Readers respond to older adults seeking connection | Dear Unexpected:
“Who are my people?” is such an important question! Love this way of finding them.
Dear Eric:
“Still Grieving” stated that he was a secular humanist, so church was off the table. Not so at all! The Unitarian Universalist ch... |
| 30.10.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Siblings try to overrule mom’s care plan | – Tired Daughter
Dear Daughter:
It sounds like your mother made an informed decision, one that wasn’t easy but one that will help her to continue to have a good quality of life and preserve her autonomy. So, while your sibling’s input may b... |
| 29.10.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Family doesn’t check in after disaster | I’m glad you’re safe. I’m curious if this communication issue is a pattern of behavior with your kids, or an anomaly. If it’s the latter, you may want to think of it as such – a place where your expectation and theirs didn’t match up.
Eithe... |
| 28.10.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Husband refuses to use bathroom inside | Dear Sad:
Well, I had my coffee but, alas, it didn’t help. If your husband’s been doing this your whole marriage – perhaps even his whole life – I’m tempted to say you can’t teach an experienced dog new tricks. Except he’s not a dog and he’... |
| 27.10.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Boyfriend won’t give up toxic friend | While your reasons for playing the role of Toxic Avenger may be noble, it’s time to hang up the cape. If it’s your resentment that’s affecting your relationship rather than anything the friend is doing to you or your relationship, then you’... |
| 26.10.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Stepparents cut stepdaughters from wills after parents’ deaths | – Slighted Stepchild
Dear Slighted:
What petty people your stepparents seem to be. They can adjust their wills in whatever ways they’d like, but it’s very telling that they didn’t make the big change until after your parents were gone. It d... |
| 25.10.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Ex-wife’s lies causing a rift with kids | – Other Side of the Story
Dear Other Side:
Take your kids’ suggestion and explore therapy on your own for now. This will, ideally, accomplish a few things. First, it can help you to process the events leading up to and following your divorc... |
| 24.10.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Friend holding a 10-year grudge over Easter dinner | I was shocked: My request was 10 years ago and was cheerfully accommodated. I would have stayed home with my mother had I been rebuffed. To have this held as a trespass on my part is very upsetting. Of course, I no longer wish to be conside... |
| 23.10.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Stepmom is keeping dad from daughters | – Perplexed Daughter
Dear Perplexed:
I’m really sorry. This treatment has surely colored so much of your life, and it isn’t fair. Your dad should be proactive about maintaining your relationship and should have made it clear to your stepmom... |
| 22.10.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Husband’s friends disinvite wife from party; husband doesn’t see the issue | Dear Feeling Used:
What’s going on with these catty friends-of-the-friend-of-your-husband who don’t want you at parties? I have so many questions. You don’t know the wife well, but her friends dislike you enough to get you booted from a par... |
| 21.10.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: HR shared confidential opinions, now coworkers are angry | Dear Limbo:
You should definitely go, if you have another job lined up. Resigning sends a message, but that message shouldn’t come at the cost of your financial stability.
But your instincts about this job are right. This isn’t a place that... |
| 20.10.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Mom insists she’s not depressed, but daughter doesn’t believe her | Accept that this is what she wants to do at this point in her life but keep an eye on her without pressure. Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, older adults are at greater risk for depression, which can show up as loss of in... |
| 19.10.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Dad feels left out of family fun | You’re not seeing a problem that doesn’t exist, but you’re probably looking at it the wrong way. It’s natural to sometimes feel envy about closeness that family members have if you don’t feel the same closeness. And, as an introvert, there ... |
| 18.10.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Boyfriend is too committed to his cats | Dear Cat’s:
Fred’s relationship with his cats is much longer than his relationship with you. So, even though you’re a human and they are regal beings who graciously tolerate humanity, you’re at a bit of a disadvantage. They’ve provided emot... |
| 17.10.2024 | The Art of Communication: Navigating Relationships in a Complex World | In the intricate tapestry of human relationships, communication serves as the thread that binds us. Yet, many find themselves tangled in misunderstandings, assumptions, and unspoken expectations. Two recent letters to an advice column highl... |
| 17.10.2024 | Navigating the Complexities of Relationships: A Modern Guide to Communication | In the intricate web of human relationships, communication is the thread that holds everything together. It’s the bridge over troubled waters, the light in the dark. Yet, many find themselves lost in the fog of misunderstandings and unspoke... |
| 17.10.2024 | Navigating the Maze of Relationships: A Guide to Finding Balance | Relationships are like intricate mazes. They twist and turn, often leading us to unexpected places. In the world of family, friendships, and romantic connections, navigating these paths can be challenging. Recent advice columns shed light o... |
| 17.10.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Husband resents wife’s visits with kids | – No Kidding
Dear No Kidding:
Your husband needs to knock it off. It’s possible he genuinely doesn’t understand why you want to be close to your kids, but it’s hardly an outrageous thing to want. His peevishness crosses the line, though. Wh... |
| 16.10.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Husband won’t clean but distrust housekeepers | – Depressed About Disorder
Dear Disorder:
I don’t see why his culture should win out in this dirty dustup. It’s your house, too, and your own expectations and your cultural traditions should be honored, too. Moreover, if you’re bringing in ... |
| 15.10.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Son won’t forgive parents for past mistakes | – Heartbroken Mom
Dear Mom:
Oh, this is such a hard space to be in. It’s a finger trap of hurt and neither of you can get free. I hope your son is getting therapy for the resentment he feels. It doesn’t have to be this way.
Walking on eggsh... |
| 14.10.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Friend’s drinking is causing a problem | She’s been proactive about getting together over the past year. At the last lunch, she strongly hinted about an invite for this summer. I responded by text to say that it won’t work out this year due to family commitments (which is partiall... |
| 13.10.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: ‘Helpful’ neighbors making ageist assumptions | Dear Neighborhood:
Congratulations on your Emmy! Can I tell you: it delighted me to no end to read that part of your letter and I’m so glad you included it. Going forward, if a letter writer has won a major award, I would like to know, plea... |
| 12.10.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Readers respond to a letter writer who swore off dating due to ED | Dear Eric: I wish “Single By Choice” knew how many women would be happy to have a man friend, a sweetheart even, who did not expect penetrative sex. For so many postmenopausal women, coitus is not comfortable. But loving feelings can be exp... |
| 11.10.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Husband doesn’t approve of wife’s lifesaving friends | – Finally Have Friends
Dear Finally:
Your husband must not have much going on at work, because minding your business seems like a full-time job. This isn’t right. He’s acting out a very misplaced feeling of insecurity and until he works on ... |
| 10.10.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Son visits his in-laws more than his parents | Dear Grandmother:
Let’s assume the best and chalk a lot of this up to your son and daughter-in-law being caught up with the demands of life and parenting a little one. I know it probably feels personal (and only getting to see them on the t... |
| 09.10.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Aunt’s secret story about sister haunts niece | – Looking for Answers
Dear Answers:
I hate that your aunt created this cliffhanger. It’s not fair to you and has clearly compounded your pain. I’m really sorry.
Decide for yourself that whatever it was, wasn’t important enough for your moth... |
| 08.10.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Imprisoned nephew wants family connection again | Dear Conflicted:
You’re not being too harsh; you’ve set a boundary. He needs to honor it, as does your sister.
Though he says he wants to be in contact, I’m not seeing any work that he’s doing or has done to repair the relationship with you... |
| 07.10.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Friends wants to confront poker pal over prejudice | But I can’t pretend he didn’t say what he said and thinks what he thinks. Should I raise it with him one on one? Or should I just cut him off? I will admit that I anticipate that you will let me have it for not doing something sooner.
– No ... |
| 06.10.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Boyfriend’s Smell Is a deal-breaker | – Cleaning House
Dear House:
Odor and ardor are so closely linked for many of us; this may not be a comfortable conversation, but clear communication can draw you closer. What’s more, it’s quite possible that his odor issues are partially c... |
| 05.10.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Friends ask about son’s health; mom doesn’t know how much to say | While there’s nothing wrong with telling friends everything that’s going on, when folks ask for an update, there’s rarely an expectation of the whole story. Telling folks the latest on the struggles they already know about should suffice un... |
| 04.10.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Brother makes himself too at-home during visits | Dear Relative:
This is the paradox of telling guests, especially guests we’re related to, that they should “make themselves at home”. Just whose home are we talking about here? Because the way some of these folks are living? No thanks!
In t... |
| 03.10.2024 | The Complex Web of Family Dynamics and Financial Obligations | Family relationships can be as tangled as a ball of yarn. When money enters the picture, the knots can tighten. Recent advice columns highlight the emotional and financial struggles that arise within families. They reveal how loans, expecta... |
| 03.10.2024 | Navigating Life's Twists: The Art of Asking for Help and Setting Boundaries | Life is a winding road. Each turn brings new challenges. From personal struggles to relationship dynamics, the need for guidance is universal. The recent advice columns by Eric Thomas highlight this reality. They offer insights into the com... |
| 03.10.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Daughter ghosted after $50,000 loan | Even if you don’t have anything on paper, it’s time to have two separate conversations about your relationship and expectations. Money first. Ask her what her plan is for paying the money back. Explain how it impacts you and get a realistic... |
| 02.10.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Mother called her lazy, but there’s something else to blame | Dear Starting Over:
First things first – you’re not a burden. Care organizations exist because they know that there’s a need for community care. That includes you, too. Please reach out if you need to.
I’m glad that you’ve taken the self-af... |
| 01.10.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Sister only calls when she needs money, now niece is calling, too | When the other daughter inquires about a group get-together, tell her you’d love to, but you and her mom and sister have some personal unfinished business that needs to be taken care of first. This also might be a good opportunity to talk a... |
| 30.09.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Husband’s post-retirement fitness habits driving wife crazy | I don’t know what kind of bodybuilder utopia you live in, but I’d wager that the gym is as empty at 2 a.m. as it is at 11 p.m., if not more so. So, see if your husband will go later, not earlier. This would have him getting home at the same... |
| 29.09.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Grieving Mom doesn’t want to hear friends’ complaints about their kids | Dear Mother:
Take this with a grain of salt: your counselor knows you and has a relationship with you whereas I am a stranger who is rooting for you and whose heart aches for you. But I think a little distance from these friends would be he... |
| 28.09.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Husband develops obsession with wife’s decades-old tryst | It’s also important to put a clear boundary between what’s going on in your head and what’s going on in your marriage. Tell your wife that you can’t stop fixating on this event and also what your plan is to remedy that. Don’t make your obse... |
| 27.09.2024 | Navigating Relationships: The Tightrope of Communication and Boundaries | In the intricate dance of relationships, communication is the rhythm that keeps partners in sync. Yet, when missteps occur, the music can falter. Recent advice columns shed light on the delicate balance of expectations, boundaries, and emot... |
| 27.09.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Bad traveler wants to go on vacation with globe-trotting friend | Have a conversation with your friend about your different travel styles. This is the least loaded of your objections to her. If you’re an early riser who likes to hike all day and she sleeps late and wants to lay on a beach, then you’re not... |
| 26.09.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Boyfriend surprised with unwanted home makeover | So, what I’m wondering is, did I miss something here?
– Channel Changer
Dear Channel:
You didn’t miss anything, but it sure seems like you dodged a bullet. It’s one thing to have an opinion about a loved one’s home or décor. It’s quite anot... |
| 25.09.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Wife’s friends disappeared after husband’s Alzheimer’s | It’s not crankiness; it’s a reasonable response to being let down by your friends. It’s clear from your letter that you’ve given these people grace. And I’m sorry that they still didn’t show up in the way that you needed them to.
Resignatio... |
| 24.09.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Husband with hearing loss insists wife’s mumbling is the problem | You can help him and help your relationship by – to use a colloquial phrase – saying the quiet part out loud. In an unheated moment, tell him that you understand his frustration but that it doesn’t help either of you to be in conflict. Even... |
| 23.09.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Widower has millions in the bank but wants close friends | Ask yourself what you’re looking for and try to be as specific as possible. What would it look like if you had the life you want right now? And are there small steps you can take to get there? Give yourself time.
You’re not alone in this. S... |
| 22.09.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Everything works for new couple except the sex | Do you not enjoy sex with her or are you finding that you don’t enjoy sex at all anymore? If it’s the former, you may be better as friends. It’s OK to not be into it.
Or, since everything else is going so well, you can broach the subject of... |
| 21.09.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Parents’ hoarder house is a burden to daughter | Dear Matriarch:
This is a big burden and it’s not fair that you have to carry it. However, a lot of your resentment is coming from your ideas of what life should be instead of what is. Accepting that your parents aren’t going to change – an... |
| 20.09.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Husband is threatened by wife’s work trips | I don’t see how he’s compromising here at all, really. I see you giving up something that you love and him continually moving the line. This isn’t fair to you, and I suspect that even if you were to never go on another solo trip again, ther... |
| 19.09.2024 | Advice | After 50 years, friend wants to be done with the group | It’s possible your husband’s abusive language and behavior is making your anxiety worse.
Anxiety latches on to anything that it can, so perhaps there’s something else you’re struggling with and it’s showing up in the car. Regardless, your h... |
| 18.09.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: After 50 years, friend wants to be done with the group | Dear Over It:
Sometimes you have to be very clear that a friendship is over. A breakup, if you will. That sounds like where you are with these two people now.
But, unlike romantic breakups, which often have clear beginnings and endings, the... |
| 17.09.2024 | Navigating the Shadows: The Fight Against Alzheimer's and Domestic Struggles | In the heart of New York City, a battle rages. It’s not just against the towering skyscrapers but against a silent thief—Alzheimer's disease. This condition steals memories, identities, and lives. It creeps in like fog, obscuring the vibran... |
| 17.09.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: An update from grandmother who folded laundry ‘wrong’ | – No More Laundry Blues
Dear No More Laundry Blues:
I am absolutely thrilled to read this. And I’m certain that many readers will be, too – I received an overwhelming number of emails about your situation. We were all up in arms. Thanks for... |
| 16.09.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: After 12 years of marriage, stepdaughter still won’t speak to stepmom | Dear Stepmother:
This isn’t your doing, indeed, it sounds like you’ve done everything you can to build a bridge. But, unfortunately, it may not be within your power to solve the problem here. Your husband’s daughter is likely still grieving... |
| 15.09.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Wife fears it’s too late to leave abusive husband | Dear Wiser:
Despite the pseudonym you chose, I want to assure you that it’s not too late. While he may not be able to fully care for himself because of his medical issues, there’s a big difference between him being dependent on you and usin... |
| 14.09.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Husband keeping wife in the dark about finances | Generously, I want to assume his reticence is due to machismo, i.e., he wants to take care of you. But withholding information, especially when it’s asked for repeatedly, is just awful in a marriage. If he doesn’t respond to the will questi... |
| 13.09.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Wife fears she’s abusing husband with Alzheimer’s | So, it is possible your husband is able to consent, even without the cognitive ability to recognize you. However, and this is a huge however, you’re putting yourself and him at risk if the facility where he’s being cared for doesn’t have a ... |
| 12.09.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Partner’s familial estrangement is a deal breaker | Does he truly not trust you with his feelings or are his feelings on this topic still so raw and unresolved he can’t articulate them? What’s at the core of these fights for each of you?
To get at answers, and to hopefully see each other mor... |
| 11.09.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Husband says the wrong thing after sex | Dear Eric:
A high school acquaintance recently passed away and the first thought that came into my mind was what a bully he was to me. We did meet later on in life, and he was pleasant but, still, the fact that he bullied me was my first th... |
| 10.09.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: New mom feels guilty over very late thank you notes | – Late but Grateful
Dear Grateful:
The way you write to me, a stranger, is so filled with gratitude, authenticity and warmth that I can’t imagine a friend getting a thank you note from you and feeling anything but joy, no matter how late it... |
| 09.09.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Grandson’s name brings up grief for grandmother | Asking her to choose another name for her son won’t solve anything for either of you but see if you can come up with a nickname that you can call him. Ask for her help and blessing in this. Maybe it’s his middle name or maybe it’s something... |
| 08.09.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Foster parent wants to be done with drama | Angel has demonstrated that she is either unwilling or not capable of working toward a healthier connection. Am I OK with being one more adult who lets her down (in her eyes, anyway) and walks away?
– Fatigued Foster Parent
Dear Fatigued:
T... |
| 07.09.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Friend’s treatment of ailing cat is hard to take | Dear Heartsick:
Oh, I feel so sad for this cat and for your friend. It sounds like your friend is making the best decision she can, given her financial circumstances. I know it sounds cruel to you, but she might be backed into a corner. To ... |
| 06.09.2024 | The Homelessness Paradox: Progress Amidst Growing Challenges | Homelessness is a relentless tide. It ebbs and flows, revealing both progress and despair. In Boulder County, recent reports show a slight decrease in homelessness. Yet, the situation remains precarious. The city’s officials express cautiou... |
| 06.09.2024 | Navigating Family Dynamics: When Conflict Brews Beneath the Surface | Family gatherings can feel like a double-edged sword. They promise connection but often deliver tension. The articles analyzed reveal a common thread: unresolved conflicts that fester and grow. Whether it’s a bullying nephew or a husband’s ... |
| 06.09.2024 | Navigating the Complex Web of Relationships in Later Life | Life is a tapestry woven with relationships. As we age, the threads can fray. The complexities of family dynamics, friendships, and personal boundaries often come to the forefront. This is especially true for older adults who find themselve... |
| 06.09.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Sister’s ex doesn’t know she’s back in town | Dear Bearer:
Stay out of it and let Peter take his chances with kismet, coincidence, and all the other cosmic forces that bring exes together at the best/worst possible moments in rom-coms and nighttime soap opera cliffhangers.
While you’ve... |
| 05.09.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Father-in-law’s partner makes visits unbearable | Dear Visitor:
If I had a family crest, it would read “No more sufferfests!” No more grinning and bearing it at the vacation rental no one actually likes or doing the holiday tradition that makes everyone miserable. No more sufferfests!
Give... |
| 04.09.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: 11-year-old nephew bullies uncle and cousins | Leaving a family party seems too dramatic and allows the “behavior” to ‘win’ in a sense.
– Dudley’s Aunt
Dear Aunt:
Dudley’s a problem, but these parents are even worse. It would be one thing if they were “helpless” in the face of a hellion... |
| 03.09.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Estranged mom struggles with son’s wedding invite | Traditions vary, as with all weddings, so the best way to figure out what your responsibilities are is to reach out and ask. Now, if your son hasn’t spoken to you in a decade, you may not have any responsibilities. The invitation may be an ... |
| 02.09.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Husband’s grudge against mother-in-law affecting family | Dear Wife:
Your husband’s behavior goes beyond not liking. We’re in grudge territory here. First things first: he should definitely stop visiting. I can’t imagine it’s fun for your mom, so who is benefiting?
You write that you know why he d... |
| 01.09.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Ex-friend left behind dead cat | Dear Sitter: Cats have nine lives, but one burial suffices. Two is generous. Three risks farce. Let the cat rest undisturbed in your yard. You kindly solved a problem for your friend that she should have cared enough to solve. You’ve done m... |
| 31.08.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Daughter-in-law wants to be too close | She’s eager and probably struggling to figure you out, but it’s time to say night-night to some of these widdle habits.
Coming into your house unannounced with a key she wasn’t given isn’t a whoopsie daisy. She’s an adult and can understand... |
| 30.08.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Grieving daughter won’t let mom sell childhood home | – Imprisoned by the Past
Dear Past:
While your daughter may feel powerless against her anxiety and grief, she has a responsibility not to wield either against you.
I’m particularly alarmed by her protests around selling the house. The inher... |
| 29.08.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Burnt twice, future mother-in-law wants no relationship | Dear In-Law:
Your partner does have a leg to stand on. His mother shouldn’t be forced to like you, but if he’s not willing to even emphasize to her that you’re a different person than the ex and you are important to him, it’s not fair to yo... |
| 28.08.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Wife says husband’s affection is creepy | – Carpooling
Dear Carpooling: Sure, you can do anything you want.
Have you asked your son and daughter-in-law about it? They can help flag and smooth out any sibling strife bubbling up from the gift. It’s also a great idea, in general, to c... |
| 27.08.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Once-distant father now demands child’s help | Dear Granted:
Often guilt trips are the last resort of a person who refuses to take responsibility for their own actions or wants. Remember that this is someone who isn’t communicating with you fairly or clearly.
That doesn’t have to be you... |
| 26.08.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Girlfriend not invited to family funeral | If it’s a pattern of behavior with other things that aren’t emergencies or tragedies, try talking to him proactively to see if it changes things. For instance, if there’s something that you want to be invited to, let him know in advance. Or... |
| 25.08.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Wife debates telling husband his body has changed | He may not be vain, or even particularly observant, but he is still a person in a body and he, presumably, showers and dresses himself. So, he is aware of what he looks like. And, with that awareness, if he chooses to take off his shirt at ... |
| 23.08.2024 | Navigating the Emotional Minefield of Relationships | In the intricate web of human relationships, emotions often run high. Misunderstandings can lead to rifts, and silence can feel deafening. Two recent letters to an advice columnist highlight the complexities of family dynamics and friendshi... |
| 23.08.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Friend ghosted after big monetary gift | It’s possible Katie’s radio silence is a sign of executive dysfunction, which many neurodiverse people negotiate. The prospect of thanking you and your father for your help may seem like a daunting task that only grows more daunting the mor... |
| 22.08.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Successful sons refuse to leave the nest | – Overworked Mom
Dear Mom:
Your sons are making six figures, don’t have rent, and are treating their mother as their maid? I’m calling the Hague.
They’re going through a strange phase of life and think that being catered to is just “part of... |
| 21.08.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Son-in-law won’t stop sending political texts | Your mother is temperamentally averse to confrontation and, at 89, is not a digital native so this kind of exchange is completely outside of her wheelhouse. She needs some help.
Reach out to your sister and tell her what’s going on. Does sh... |
| 20.08.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Family wants to support nephew without condoning behavior | Decide if you’re more interested in giving a gift or a lesson. What you’ve offered is generous, but a 529 account can seem like a cold comfort when one is struggling to buy formula or diapers. Ask yourself if helping the family now really “... |
| 19.08.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: ‘Helicopter’ grandma is suddenly ghosted | – Hopeful Grandma
Dear Grandma:
Eight years of “torment”, even with your good intentions, is a lot to put aside. As your grandchild has come into his own as an adult, he’s probably started to view your relationship differently. Maybe that’s... |
| 18.08.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Kids split over estrangement from dad, mom caught in the middle | Your compassion for your kids and your grandson doesn’t have to change. And if they come to you to talk through the awkwardness or the pain of the estrangement, listen and share your own feelings. You’re also being impacted by this, and you... |
| 17.08.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Difficult friend wants to lunch too much | – Break Time
Dear Break Time:
Some friendships are like an overly sweet dessert: a little goes a long way.
You’re right that telling her you don’t want to see her as much will likely hurt her feelings. There’s no good way of saying “you’re ... |
| 16.08.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Bad boss is also a bad volunteer, co-workers fear | – Volunteering Information
Dear Information:
Not all help is good help. If this manager is willing to be so open about her distaste for the people she’s supposedly serving, it’s surely showing up in her volunteer work and negatively impacti... |
| 15.08.2024 | Navigating Family Dynamics: The Art of Boundaries and Communication | Family life is a complex tapestry. Each thread represents a relationship, woven together with love, expectations, and sometimes, tension. As families evolve, so do their dynamics. Understanding how to navigate these waters is crucial for ma... |
| 15.08.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Daughter living the high life while mom struggles | – Grandmother Turned Mother
Dear Grandmother:
I’m sorry to say that if she’s not going to change, then you have to be the one to shift. Your resentment is rooted in an expectation that she’ll step up and take responsibility. That’s not an u... |
| 14.08.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Husband’s sister invades social plans | I don’t want to appear callous and uncaring but I did not expect a threesome at this stage of my life. How can we tactfully let her know how we feel?
– Three’s a Crowd
Dear Crowd:
Even though you felt it was an obligation, you did become he... |
| 13.08.2024 | Navigating the Complex Web of Relationships in Modern Times | In the digital age, relationships can feel like a double-edged sword. They can uplift us or leave us feeling isolated. The recent advice columns reveal the tangled threads of human connection, showcasing the struggles many face in understan... |
| 13.08.2024 | Navigating the Storms of Life: Finding Clarity Amid Chaos | Life is a turbulent sea. Waves crash, storms brew, and sometimes, we find ourselves adrift. In moments of crisis, clarity can feel elusive. Yet, within the chaos, there are lessons to be learned. The stories of those grappling with grief, s... |
| 13.08.2024 | Navigating the Waters of Friendship and Support in Tough Times | Life can feel like a stormy sea. Waves crash, and sometimes, we find ourselves adrift. The articles analyzed reveal a common thread: the struggle for connection and support during difficult times. Whether it’s dealing with a friend’s disabi... |
| 13.08.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Daughter suspicious of mom’s ‘tax benefit’ wedding | Think of it as an anniversary party.
We’ve all happily gone to weddings of young people whose unions didn’t end up lasting 20 years. Why punish your mom and her partner for proving the concept before cutting the cake?
Look, I’m a romantic f... |
| 12.08.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Husband ‘just chatting’ on Facebook dating site | Dear Messenger:
Of all the places one can “learn how to communicate”, Facebook’s dating section is the least ideal. Was Toastmasters booked?
While he may think he wasn’t cheating, it’s clear that what he was doing was outside the bounds of ... |
| 11.08.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Husband’s forgetfulness causes anxiety | – Trying to Stay on Task
Dear Task:
Fear of future forgetfulness is crowding your present. Try to stay in the here and now.
In the book “Dirty Laundry: Why Adults with ADHD Are So Ashamed and What We Can Do to Help”, Richard Pink and Roxann... |
