ArcaMax

DEAR HARRIETTE: Over the years, I have become extremely specific with my scheduling, which encouraged me to also become extremely efficient at work. I try to get all my work done within work hours. I generally leave work at 5 p.m. on the dot. I am not doing essential or life-saving work, so I no longer feel the need to overextend myself by ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: Over the summer, I became extremely close friends with a new co-worker. We talked whenever we worked together and eventually began hanging out outside of work. The semester just began and all my other friends have returned to campus, and a few of them don't like the co-worker I befriended. Before I knew my co-worker, they were ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I am planning a trip for my birthday, and managing the invites is intimidating! I don't like traveling with large groups, so I've decided I would like a total of four to six of us on the trip. I prefer it that way because I think it allows for more intimacy and connection during our time together, and it lends itself better to ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My neighbor's dog keeps digging up our yard and leaving feces there. I have gone over to my neighbor and tried to address this issue, but her dog continues to destroy our yard. I suggested that she get a fence, and she said they were looking into it, but I don't think they are going to because fences can be very expensive. At ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I married my husband about five years ago, and his family always expects us to host for holidays and other celebrations. After five years of this, I am reaching my breaking point. My husband and I are both successful and have been able to buy a large home. My husband's family is huge, so our home accommodates everyone the best, ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My 14-year-old nephew's teeth are rotting, and my brother and sister-in-law are choosing to ignore it instead of taking him to the dentist. My nephew had poor dental hygiene growing up and rarely brushed his teeth. Over the years, I have noticed that his dental health has gotten progressively worse, and now it has reached a point...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I had an amazing date with someone who's been interested in me for some time now. I was too scared to agree to a date before as I am only about one year out from getting divorced. My date picked me up for dinner and a movie, and it went so well we ended up getting drinks after and shutting down the bar! When he picked me up, he ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I wanted to do something special for my mom, so I decided to surprise her with a vacation for her birthday. She loves to travel, so I thought it'd be a nice opportunity for the two of us to get away and bond. My mom and I are not as close as I would like us to be. When I was younger, my mom took the "I am your parent, not your ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: For our whole lives, my cousin has had it so much easier than me. Our moms are sisters, and we were born only a year apart. Growing up, her family was significantly wealthier and more connected than mine. As a result, she went to Harvard and became a dermatologist, and her husband got super rich from selling a tech company he ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I'm dating someone new, but we're having a hard time finding things we want to do together. I don't mean to sound posh, but I do enjoy getting dressed up and going to shows, nice dinners, live performances and more. The guy I'm dating is quite different from me. Much of his life revolves around health, fitness and training. He ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My boyfriend and I are struggling to make time for each other. He started a new career as a professional bodyguard a few months back, so his schedule is now the opposite of mine. He works with a lot of entertainers and athletes, which leads to him working mostly at night and nearly all weekend. I, on the other hand, work a ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I recently tried to merge separate friends for an outing, and it failed terribly. I invited a new friend of mine to go out with my girlfriends and me to a Latin club that we often frequent. At first, everyone was having a great time, and my girlfriends couldn't stop talking about how cool my new friend was and how much everyone ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I had three children in four and a half years, and I want to get my spark and confidence back. Throughout these back-to-back pregnancies, I gained about 30 pounds, and now I don't feel comfortable in my own body. I've tried to start working out, but I never stay consistent because I'm trying to manage a career while having so ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: One of my neighbors yelled at my 10-year-old for not being careful while crossing the street. My family's house is a few doors down from a turn where it can sometimes be difficult to make sure that it is clear to cross the street. Usually my daughter is very responsible, making sure to be extra careful when crossing the street to...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I want to pursue a bachelor's degree. I know what you're thinking: Go for it. The catch is, I've been down this road before -- a few times. The first few times I went to college were at my parents' behest. Based on how many times I changed my major and my lack of effort, I'd say I wasn't particularly ready at the time. Now that I...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My teenage daughter broke up with her first boyfriend, and she's having a tough time getting over him. It's been almost a year, and she still talks about him incessantly and says he was the love of her life. I have told her many times that she is 16 years old, and she has so much time to meet other people who will love her more. ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My 16-year-old daughter is determined to completely isolate herself. She says she doesn't want any friends, so she acts very mean and disinterested in other kids at school and extracurricular activities. At home, she likes to stay in her room and read so she can avoid spending time with the family. It makes me so sad, because I'm...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My husband and I fundamentally disagree on how to deal with a neighbor who has no boundaries. This guy has fallen on hard times and does virtually nothing to help himself. He has been offered jobs but doesn't take them. He wanders about almost like a homeless person except that he has lodging. He shows up at our door on a regular...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My mom keeps inviting my ex-husband to our family gatherings, even though I told her not to. She insists he is still a part of our family, especially since he and I have three children together. My ex-husband and I honestly aren't on great terms since our marriage ended due to him cheating on me, so I prefer not to see him at ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My husband recently screwed over his business partner by taking significantly more of the profit for himself. I feel so appalled this is the man I married. I knew my husband was ambitious and very competitive, but I never thought he would intentionally take advantage of someone he had built a business with. His business partner ...Read more