ArcaMax

DEAR HARRIETTE: I recently went through a divorce, and I'm struggling to figure out who I am now. There were no kids involved, so the breakup was really just between my ex and me. I thought I had my life figured out, but now that I'm on my own, I'm feeling lost. I've been so focused on being a partner for so long that I don't even know what I ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My kid twisted his ankle at school today, and the teacher didn't do anything about it. My son told me that he was in pain and was struggling to walk, but instead of sending him to the nurse or calling me, the teacher told him to "walk it off." By the time he got home, his ankle was swollen, and I had to take him to the doctor. ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My 7-year-old daughter's hamster died last night, and my husband wanted to go buy a new one that looked exactly like her old one so she wouldn't notice that he had died. I said that this is a ridiculous idea; our daughter needs to learn how to deal with situations in life that make her sad. We ended up arguing about it because he...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I'm at a crossroads with my girlfriend. In our house, we share many of our bills. I take care of things like rent and the car payment for our shared vehicle, and she is supposed to take care of utilities. She has had a history of being a bit reckless with her spending, and I thought that with some of the bills in her name, it ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I think my daughter might be suffering from a broken heart. I'm speculating, but a few weeks ago, she and her boyfriend broke up; he's a rising star on his high school football team, and you know how that goes. Anyway, she's been rude and moody, and she actually ended up pushing her mom during a heated argument. Unfortunately, I ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: One of my good friends has retreated completely. Last year her best friend passed away, and I think that loss is taking a major toll on her. At first, she was holding up all right, but now she doesn't really respond to me or any other friends. I don't think she's active physically or socially, aside from work. I know grief can be...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: Today I saw and smelled someone smoking crack on a subway platform near to where I was standing. I was stunned. I know it happens all around my city -- in theory -- but I've never truly witnessed it in real time, only the aftereffects of it. What could I have done in that moment to help that situation? The subway platform was ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I've always admired public speakers. I have a desire to sit on a panel and share my thoughts, but a part of me struggles with courage, and another part of me questions the authenticity of this desire. Is it OK to aspire to be a speaker, or is that a role that should be granted to someone based on their professional or academic ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My family has never taken my acting career seriously, and it's starting to wear on me. I've been dedicated to acting for 15 years, performing in multiple plays and constantly working to improve my craft. However, I've never landed a leading role, and because of that, my family sees my passion as more of a hobby than a real career...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I have a friend who never tips when we go out to eat, and honestly, it's starting to bother me. I understand it a bit more when she's at a cafe and ordering at the counter, but even at full-service restaurants where the waitstaff is taking our orders, refilling our drinks and bringing out our food, she doesn't tip at all. I find ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I'm worried about my husband. We recently moved to a new town for my job, and I can tell he's having a hard time adjusting. We lived in our previous town for 15 years, and now we're halfway across the country. While I knew the transition would be difficult, I don't think either of us fully realized just how much it would affect ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My best friend's daughter has been struggling with her mental health for some time now, and it's difficult to watch. She recently made the tough decision to withdraw from college for the semester because she was feeling overwhelmed, and now she's unsure if she wants to go back at all. It's heartbreaking because she's such a ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My long-term partner and I have built a wonderful life together, but there's one major issue we can't seem to resolve, which is whether we want kids. He's always wanted to have children, and I've always been sure that I don't.

In the beginning of our relationship, this wasn't a big topic of discussion, but now that we're getting...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I've been dreaming of traveling solo for a while now, but every time I bring it up, friends and family warn me that it's too dangerous. They tell me that I should wait until I have a travel companion or join a group trip. While I understand their concerns, I don't want fear to hold me back from experiencing the world on my own ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: A couple of months ago, I got back into the dating scene after focusing on myself for a while. I met a handsome guy who goes to church, has a good job and is ambitious and sweet. Dating him has been great, and it's exactly the sort of romance I prefer. I decided to open up to my friends about this new person, and I learned that a...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I've been seeing this guy for a few months now, and while I like him, I'm unsure about taking the next step. Recently, he brought up the idea of making our relationship official, but I have some reservations. One of the biggest issues is that he's always gone. He travels frequently for work or other commitments, and I feel like I...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My mom passed away this year suddenly and tragically. I am still in shock about it. I was her only child. All we had was each other, and that's all I let her leave with. I never graduated from college or had a great career; I never bought her a house or helped her move out of the one she raised me in. I feel like I failed her, ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: What do you do if you're a bridesmaid, but the wedding expenses are mounting? This is my best friend's wedding, and I'd hate to miss out, but some of these things are too demanding: engagement party, bridal shower, bachelorette party, dress, hair, makeup, alterations and more. The list of events and expenses just keeps growing. ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I need help dealing with a co-worker who shares way too much about their personal life. Every day at work, they corner me with long-winded stories about their relationship drama, family conflicts, financial struggles and even embarrassing medical details. At first, I listened out of politeness, but now it's become overwhelming. I...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I've been going to the same hairstylist for years, and while she's always been kind and reliable, I've started to feel like her work just isn't what I want anymore. The haircuts and color never turn out quite right, and I find myself walking out of appointments feeling disappointed more often than not. I know I should probably ...Read more