| Date | Title | Description |
| 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... |
| 10.08.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Dying brother doesn’t want to reunite | As I’m circling the drain, I really don’t want to waste energy with him.
He wants to keep getting together and, when we do, he calls my ex to complain that I seem distant. Really, I’m dying and don’t want to be there.
– Distant Brother
Dear... |
| 09.08.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Friends grew distant after stroke | – Still Here
Dear Still Here:
You deserve a cheerleader, and you deserve friends who are going to show up for you.
Tell your friends what you’re not getting. Say, “When you don’t ask me questions about myself or my life, I feel invisible. I... |
| 08.08.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Friend fears financial help will bruise pride | Do you have any suggestions, or should I just let each of them figure out things on their own?
– Wanting to Be Generous
Dear Generous:
First of all, would you like to be my friend, as well? My pride can certainly withstand a $10,000 gift.
Y... |
| 07.08.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Reaching Out to half-sister may distress ailing parents | – Newfound Sister
Dear Sister:
Reach out now.
You may never get full answers about why your parents distanced themselves from your half-sister, but there’s a cruelty in their actions that you can help to assuage.
Many people who have been k... |
| 06.08.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Widowed sister wants answers about affair | She thinks it will, so she can “move on” with her life, and not “live in the past.”
My sister and I are very close, and her bringing up the past, even from our troubling childhood, is her m.o. (And yes, I have encouraged her to see a therap... |
| 05.08.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Former friend with benefits wants to rekindle | This friendship is not a game of Plinko, and the price is not right.
He may think that his solution is innocuous, even ingenious, but your survival shouldn’t be dependent on sex, especially sex you don’t want to have anymore.
Living togethe... |
| 04.08.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Wife spills friend’s secret to BFFs | Dear Keeper:
Far be it from me to wade into the murky waters of settling marital disputes, but this is cut and dried. So, I’m strapping on my Crocs and jumping in.
When you swear to not tell anyone a piece of information, there’s not a lot ... |
| 03.08.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Ex-wife’s will puts ex-husband in a bind | Dear Willed:
You’ve been backed into a corner from beyond the grave. Spooky. Your ex-wife’s will and trust is an unchangeable document. Whereas you, as a person who is still alive, have the ability to reset relationships while there is stil... |
| 02.08.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Wife spills friend’s secret to BFFs | Dear Keeper:
Far be it from me to wade into the murky waters of settling marital disputes, but this is cut and dried. So, I’m strapping on my Crocs and jumping in.
When you swear to not tell anyone a piece of information, there’s not a lot ... |
| 01.08.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Children blame ailing mom for dad’s cheating | Do I continue to ignore these remarks? Or do I have a hard adult conversation with them and explain that even when there is infidelity there can still be love?
– Trapped at Home
Dear Home:
I am so sorry that you’re going through this compli... |
| 31.07.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Employee wants vindication from bully boss | I’d like to send a copy of this review to my previous employer where I was bullied to let them know that I was not the problem, they were.
Part of me feels that this would be petty and vindictive. At the same time, I’ve never had any real s... |
| 30.07.2024 | The Price of Friendship: Navigating Financial Boundaries and Social Expectations | Friendship is a delicate dance. It thrives on trust, shared experiences, and mutual respect. But what happens when money enters the equation? Suddenly, the rhythm falters. The balance tips. Recent advice columns reveal the complexities of f... |
| 30.07.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Cousin brings friend to every family event | Where I’m from, people used to talk about having “play cousins” – people who weren’t really related to you but with whom you were often expected to hang out because your parents were friends, or what have you.
I think you have a play cousin... |
| 29.07.2024 | Navigating the Emotional Maze of Family Dynamics and Social Connections | Life is a tapestry woven with threads of joy, sorrow, and everything in between. When it comes to family and friendships, emotions can run high. Recent inquiries highlight the delicate balance between expectations and reality. They remind u... |
| 29.07.2024 | Navigating Life's Crossroads: Choices, Relationships, and Communication | Life is a series of crossroads. Each decision we make can lead us down a different path. The choices we face often involve relationships, personal growth, and the delicate art of communication. In this exploration, we delve into the complex... |
| 29.07.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Sober diners tired of paying for drinks | Ten years of shared bills is a long time. At a certain point, splitting the check stops being about the money and starts being a gesture of mutual good will.
So, this about-face may feel like it’s coming out of nowhere for your friends. It’... |
| 28.07.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Did aunt dress inappropriately to ruin niece’s wedding? | Several of our daughters’ friends who had, of course, dressed up, asked if she had done it on purpose, as did a couple of my friends.
I don’t know what to think, except that this event harkened back to my own wedding more than 35 years ago.... |
| 27.07.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Grandmother not permitted at hospital for birth | This special moment, with its firsts and its unknowns, is naturally stirring up a lot of emotions. It sounds like some of those happy and nervous emotions are bringing up your grief. That is also natural.
Try not to put all of your emotiona... |
| 26.07.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Grandmother critiqued over folding laundry | – Clothes’d Off
Dear Clothes’d:
Once a friend of the family came to babysit me and my brothers while my parents were away. She did a load of laundry and folded the towels in halves. We, as a family, fold the towels in thirds. My brothers an... |
| 25.07.2024 | The Shift in Policing: A Move from Cities to Suburbs**
** | ** The landscape of American policing is changing. Officers are leaving bustling cities for quieter towns. This shift is driven by a desire for stability and a better work environment. The scrutiny faced by large departments is pushing many... |
| 25.07.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Grandkids are being kept away from dentist | Dear Grandma:
Make one last direct ask to your daughter and then let it be. Tell her that you have major concerns and ask if there’s something getting in the way that you can help her with.
You can make your case if you want – the American ... |
| 24.07.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Wife finds intimacy with an old friend | I’ve thought about your letter for a few weeks now and I keep coming back to the same solution. You should talk to your husband about formally opening your relationship so you can pursue a fulfilling intimacy with your friend without guilt ... |
| 23.07.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Parents won’t stop prying into finances | Dear Stuck:
This is a growing pain for all involved. Your parents and grandparents are learning, perhaps not quickly enough, that you’re an independent person capable of managing your own finances. They’re also trying to show care and conce... |
| 22.07.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Grandmothers in competition over newborn | Dear Grandmother:
Having a nemesis can be fun, sometimes, but it gets exhausting. Nancy is never going to replace you in your grandchild’s life. Moreover, despite her assertiveness, I doubt she wants to. I know it feels like you’re in compe... |
| 21.07.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: No one wants to hear traveler’s stories | While this isn’t your intention, I fear your input may strike some as bragging. Travel isn’t equally accessible to everyone. Many travelers love to bring back knowledge and stories, but those who missed the boat may not relish these souveni... |
| 20.07.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Sisters disagree about brother’s debt | Dear Cash Out:
Your sister doesn’t have a say here. She’s created a farcical caper in hopes of teaching your brother a lesson. But she can’t collect a debt that isn’t owed to her. Tell your brother directly that the debt is forgiven. And af... |
| 19.07.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Mom disapproves of daughter’s boyfriend’s job | – Protective Parent
Dear Parent:
You refuse to accept Sam for who he is, so it doesn’t take an educated guess to see why the foundation of your relationship with him is rotten. This not only negatively impacts your connection with him but h... |
| 18.07.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Destination wedding leaves old friends adrift | Dear Destination:
Whenever I’m deciding whether to attend a destination wedding or just send a gift, I always ask myself, “Am I interested in going on a pricey vacation to this place and entertaining myself for the entire time in exchange f... |
| 17.07.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Father hid son’s affair from Mom | Dear Mom:
You’re not being narcissistic, but you may be overestimating your (or anyone’s) ability to make a family member see reason when they’re bound and determined to do exactly what they want, no matter the consequences.
I know you woul... |
| 16.07.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Filmmaker may be scamming friends | Should I just mind my own business or is there something to be done to warn the GoFundMe folks that their money is just an ongoing grift in support of a “filmmaker” and that he is going to the well too often?
– Calling “Cut”
Dear Cut:
You w... |
| 15.07.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Step-grandmother neglected by grandkids | Do I continue sending cards with cash? Do I initiate the phone call or text?
– Abandoned Grandmother
Dear Grandmother:
My heart goes out to you. I’m so sorry for the loss of your husband and that you’re not getting the support from your gra... |
| 14.07.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Persistent cough causes social anxiety | Everybody’s body does strange things from time to time. I’m sorry that your body is doing something that’s causing you social anxiety. I understand how having a prolonged cough can invite questions, comments or other unwelcome reactions, es... |
| 13.07.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Friend fears pilot’s lifestyle will lead to divorce | – Sky High Divorce Rates
Dear Sky High:
Is this marriage in trouble or have you let your imagination take off into the stratosphere? What we have to go on: a gut feeling and perhaps one too many viewings of the Leonardo DiCaprio movie“Catch... |
| 12.07.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Son is underwater helping parents with rent | I personally don’t care for the house. I’ve been helping with $500 to $900 a month, and I pay for one of my brother’s expenses once in a while because he’s a minor and I feel bad for him. Should I keep helping them with rent? Honestly, I ca... |
| 11.07.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Husband quit but wife keeps drinking heavily | Dear Winding:
When one partner changes, the whole system changes. But that change is often a lot slower and more complicated than we’d like it to be.
Let’s put aside, for just a moment, the facts and figures around alcohol consumption. In y... |
| 10.07.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Former friend can’t shake ghosting guilt | You may have ghosted but you’re the one being haunted. The way to exorcize your guilt is to own up to your part and see if there’s a way to make amends. That being said, it’s important to listen to your initial discomfort.
You’re not obliga... |
| 09.07.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Boss won’t stop bringing up age | “As a first step for any employees experiencing ageism in the workplace,” she said, “it is key to maintain documentation of any/all instances. From there, it’s always a good idea to flag the situation to your HR team. If the company is too ... |
| 08.07.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Aunt banished to the cousins table at wedding | It’s amazing how much turmoil a name card on top of a plate at a family wedding can cause. I’m certain that thousands of years in the future, we’ll still be sorting out seating arrangement strife. (Well, we won’t, but various proprietary AI... |
| 07.07.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Husband’s road rage is ruining marriage | Are you in counseling? With the triggers in your home life, you would do well to work through your own feelings privately with a counselor. You write that his rage left you in tears, as usual. Friend, this does not have to be your norm. A c... |
| 06.07.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Relatives’ theft spoils family gathering | Well, more like Patrick Swayze in “Ghost” in that you need to linger for a bit to tie up loose ends. I see little use in starting more family conflict by forcing a confrontation, but you do need to be clear about the boundary you’re setting... |
| 05.07.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Aunt wants to contact brother’s secret child | Put down the cotton swab and step away from the DNA testing site. This situation has all the trappings of a juicy beach read, but as any juicy beach reader knows, things get messy before they get resolved. You don’t need to be the mess-make... |
| 04.07.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Self-published author struggles with jealousy | This is a career field where jealousy waits around every corner, but other people’s success doesn’t take anything away from us. You’re not in competition with other authors, you’re in competition with your own expectations. Ask yourself: If... |
| 03.07.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Friends act like moving away is disappearing | Dear Helper:
What you’re doing is admirable and practical, but it sounds like your friends are too self-involved to see that. I feel bad for their families when the time comes to lend a hand and for you in the present for having to put up w... |
| 02.07.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Couple struggles with different life purposes | Now, be aware that their decision could be more not-deciding. Your partner’s malaise may be a rut that they’re not prepared to get out of yet. Asking questions and follow-ups like “would you want to work with someone like a coach to help th... |
| 01.07.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Mom struggles to get over son’s breakup | There’s a rule of thumb that posits it takes half the length of a relationship to get over the end of said relationship. But don’t go running to your calendar to circle some due date in your son’s future. His mileage will vary.
This process... |
| 28.06.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Why can’t friend leave toddler at home? | Toddlers aren’t forever, so for now try an approach that’s honest and empathetic. Tell your friend that you obviously love the friendship you built in the pre-kid days, but that you also want to keep your closeness now and get to know the p... |
| 21.06.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Why do I have to keep buying baby gifts? | Dear Eric:
I’m a 42-year-old woman who is child-free by choice. I always remember birthdays, and love giving thoughtfully chosen gifts to the people in my life (my nearest and dearest, especially). But let’s be honest, we aren’t always clos... |
| 14.06.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Dealing with an Eeyore when you’re a Piglet | That being said, you should communicate what you need to your father. Avoid “you always” language; instead try “I want to tell you good news now and it would help me a lot if you could find something positive to say about it.”
I hope your f... |
| 07.06.2024 | Advice | Asking Eric: Wife wants to return husband’s anniversary gift | It’s great that your husband already offered to make an exchange because that indicates an awareness that, though the sentiment was appreciated, the gift wasn’t quite right.
He wants you to be happy, you want to be happy, the museum wants t... |
