ArcaMax

DEAR HARRIETTE: My 16-year-old teenage daughter landed a part-time job this semester, and I can tell she's really feeling the pressure of trying to juggle work, school and her social life all at once. I want to support her independence and growth, but I can see how stressed out she is getting. I'm trying to figure out how to help her balance ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I'm a 26-year-old freelance writer who's been struggling to find a steady stream of clients and projects. A few months ago, a friend generously offered to refer me to someone in his network, but they have started making demands for quick turnarounds and extra revisions beyond what was initially agreed upon. They often communicate...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My sister and I co-manage our family business, a local bakery. We're clashing over its direction: I prefer to maintain our traditional baking techniques and recipes, which have served us well for years. She wants to import and sell modern, trendy breads from other shops to diversify our offerings. In short, she wants to hop on ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I just dropped my daughter off at college last week, and she's already asking me to come back and pick her up. She's saying that college isn't for her, but she hasn't even started classes yet. This has been an emotional time for both of us as I am a single mom and she is my only daughter. She's always been introverted and has ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I had a falling out with a friend recently, and I'm not sure if I want to continue the relationship at all. She is probably a certifiable narcissist. Everything revolves around her. She needs to be the center of attention -- always. She revels in making quips about everyone and everything, and her comments are often biting.

I ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I'm a husband seeking advice. My wife has been engaging in a practice she calls "fridgescaping," which is currently a viral trend on TikTok, where she decorates the inside of our fridge with vases and flowers to make it look pretty. While I appreciate her creativity, I find it to be overly extravagant and inconvenient as I often ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I started gardening as a way to unwind and connect with nature, and I've been loving it. However, it seems my enthusiasm might be causing some issues with my neighbors. They've mentioned that the noise from my gardening tools and the mess from soil and plant debris are becoming a problem for them. I truly find peace in this hobby...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I'm 19, and I was invited to a close friend's major milestone birthday party. Initially, I agreed to go, but I've since learned that the theme is "sexy Hollywood." The mood board my friend created and feels strongly about features tight, skimpy skirts and bralettes, which I'm not comfortable wearing. I prefer more low-key events ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I'm starting to feel uneasy about my relationship with my girlfriend. We've been together for about a year now, and while I care for her, it seems like when we spend time together, it involves me spending money on her. Whether it's buying her meals or gifts or covering other expenses, there's always some sort of financial ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My son, who is in his early 20s, has been kicked out of two different colleges. The reasons for his expulsions are difficult for me to talk about, but they've shaken my confidence in his future. He's always been smart, but somewhere along the way, things went off course, and now I'm not sure how to steer him back in the right ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My 23-year-old brother has asked me for a substantial loan to start a new business. While I want to help, I'm feeling uneasy about lending such a large sum. At 47, I'm more cautious about my financial decisions, and this request feels quite big. I've seen how starting a new venture can be unpredictable, and I'm worried that a ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I've recently transitioned to working from home full-time, and I'm finding it challenging to separate my work life from my personal life. While my home office setup is functional, it has made it harder for to me switch off from work mode at the end of the day. I find myself checking emails or thinking about tasks long after my ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I'm trying to start a daily journaling habit for personal growth, but I'm struggling to find the time and stay consistent. I really want to make journaling a regular part of my life, but it's been challenging to fit it into my daily routine. I end up too busy or too tired by the end of the day to write, and as a result, I haven't...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I'm dealing with a health issue that requires significant dietary changes, and I'm struggling to make it work with my family's eating habits. I've had to cut out gluten and dairy, but my family continues to enjoy dishes that include these ingredients. They often have pasta night with creamy sauces, which has been really tough for...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I've been feeling concerned about my teenage daughter lately. She's started spending time with a new group of friends who are really into extreme sports like skateboarding and parkour. This is a big shift from the activities we've always encouraged, such as volunteering and participating in community events. Last night she ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My daughter recently got a new job, and I'm just thrilled she has found a job out of college as the economy is very tough currently. However, the pay at this job is low, and despite my encouragement, she refuses to consider other opportunities that might offer a better salary. I'm proud of her for being so determined and sticking...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I'm a 28-year-old woman, and up until this year, I've never had any serious issues with my skin. However, seemingly out of nowhere, I developed cystic acne this year. I've become self-conscious, to the point where I sometimes dread going out in public or even seeing friends and family. What's made this even harder to cope with is...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My sisters and I are trying to figure out the best way to move forward with our dad's care. Up until recently, he was living independently and doing quite well on his own. He's always been a strong and self-sufficient person, so we never really worried too much about him being alone. However, everything changed when he had a ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: There is an ongoing issue in my relationship that involves a recurring conflict over holiday traditions. My boyfriend is passionate about us celebrating every holiday with his extended family, which often means missing out on traditions that are important to me. For instance, last Christmas, while he was busy with his family's ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I've been invited to a high-profile event by an old friend I haven't seen in years. It's a fantastic opportunity, but there's a bit of a catch: The event is in a city I'm uncomfortable traveling to alone due to safety concerns. I'm in my early 40s now and find that I'm more cautious about such things than I used to be.

While I'm...Read more