ArcaMax

Dear Eric: I have two adult children; they both are married and live in different states away from me. I worked very hard to be a good and loving parent and, after a divorce that I did not want, I struggled a lot emotionally. The children lost their home and so did I.

I have been on excellent terms with my children. This year my daughter told ...Read more

Dear Eric: A good friend of 30 years lashed out at me. During a group dinner she announced that she was going to apply for a restraining order against someone who has been harassing and stalking her. Once a week I play volleyball with that person. The person sometimes tries to talk to me about my good friend. I tell that person not to do that, ...Read more

Dear Eric: How can I lovingly set boundaries with an aging, widowed and childless aunt who is seeking more connection but whose long-standing self-centered behavior – dominating conversations, disregarding others’ needs, and making unrealistic emotional demands – has exhausted much of the extended family?

In the last decade I’ve been ...Read more

Dear Eric: My wife and I have been married a little over three years and have known each other for more than six years. This is a blended family, and my wife has a 22-year-old recent college grad, and a 27-year-old alcoholic son from her first marriage. This is my first marriage.

Presently we are at an impasse in our marriage. My wife cannot ...Read more

Dear Eric: As I am getting older (mid-60s), appointments occasionally slip my mind and I am not very disciplined about writing them on my calendar. Luckily, medical appointments come with email or phone reminders.

However, my hairstylist does not do reminder calls (and I don't expect her to).

I have missed several appointments in the past year...Read more

Dear Eric: I work in a small department with two colleagues, including one named James. James has always been challenging to work with due to frequent errors and an unpredictable emotional temperament. Despite this, we have remained professional as he didn't seem malicious.

As a hobbyist crafter, I recently agreed to create a wood carving for ...Read more

Dear Eric: I’m writing this to get your opinion about something that has been bothering me for a while but has been exacerbated by the recent illness of my mother.

Although I was brought up Catholic, in my adult life I am a practicing atheist. I’m not one to ever bring that up unless in a safe environment to do so, or if I know I am among ...Read more

Dear Eric: I’m 70, and my 68-year-old sister has ghosted me over politics. After the 2024 election she stopped responding to me – no birthday or Christmas cards, no phone calls, no emails.

She also did this in 2016 – ghosting my mother (82 at the time) and me for more than two years.

I finally wrote her a letter and told her that I loved...Read more

Dear Eric: My son is in his 40s and has been a stay-at-home dad for 12 years. His wife, same age, has a demanding job and he is responsible for anything having to do with the house and their two middle school-aged girls. They all seem happy with this arrangement.

Both girls are high achievers, happy at school and their other activities, but the...Read more

Dear Eric: My father recently passed after a long battle with dementia. My 45-year-old son who was close to my father is an alcoholic. He was sober for almost two years and then relapsed a few weeks ago after learning my father was close to death.

He has mental health issues as well as abusing alcohol and has been in and out of rehab and sober ...Read more

Dear Eric: I was recently on a lovely group nature walk with a friend, who I hoped to

become something more with. The exercise and environment were romantic; the conversation was good and that continued for about three quarters of the walk.

Then, a man joined us on a break and started talking ... and talking and talking. If I tried providing ...Read more

Dear Eric: I'm a 70-year-old husband in relatively good health married to a wonderful 64-year-old wife, mother and grandmother to our grandchildren.

We just celebrated more than four decades together. She is my forever soulmate and I’m confident I'll always love her.

But it's been five years since we've had sex. I simply have lost my desire ...Read more

Dear Eric: I have lived in the same apartment complex for about 10 years. Years ago, the elderly couple next door started to leave me gift bags of items such as tea towels and candy bars.

At first, it felt sweet, but it has become burdensome. They acknowledge every holiday, including Mother’s Day (I am not a mother). I have always ...Read more

Dear Eric: My wife is retired and does the majority of grocery shopping and cooking. For the past year or so she has also insisted on packing me a lunch to take to work.

I’m a teacher and bringing lunch has been part of my daily routine for years (there’s no time in the school day to go out to lunch). She packs things like soups, salads or ...Read more

Dear Eric: We have friends, who we have not seen in more than a decade. Yet the wife sends us cards for every holiday, our birthdays and at Christmas, many times with gift cards enclosed.

For a while I told them to stop by and see us, or to call and chat. That never happens, and I am just wondering what her motivation is? Thanks for your ...Read more

Dear Eric: My son has been married for 19 years. He has three children. In the beginning stage of his relationship with his spouse, I noticed that she only wanted my son to spend more time with her family. I was being observant in silence.

She recently told me she doesn't want her children around me anymore. She stated I don't come around ...Read more

Dear Eric: My parents divorced and my father remarried more than 20 years ago. My wife, our children and I would visit every year or two. The visits were cordial but fairly superficial so I did not have a strong relationship with my father or his wife.

My father passed away recently, and I have been dealing with his wife for the funeral ...Read more

Dear Eric: My wife and I are financing our granddaughter’s college education. She has spent the last two years enjoying the social life at her sorority and traveling to vacation spots. Her GPA is poor and she has had to repeat two courses.

Do we have a right to say she must maintain a better GPA, or we will consider withdrawing our financial ...Read more

Dear Eric: I moved to a new city a few years ago because I felt like I needed a change of pace after a job change and a breakup. I’m 32, if that helps. It’s a big city that a lot of people like. I’m not one of those people. I’ve really tried it, but I don’t understand the social rhythms, I’ve struggled to make friends, and I just ...Read more

Dear Eric: I am a very loving grandmother with family on the West Coast. I live on the East Coast. I make every effort to reach out to my son's family. I purchase books, clothes, candy, school supplies, toys for every holiday and birthday. I wrap up and mail these "Love boxes" involving time, effort, thought and expense.

I am stunned and beyond...Read more