Carolyn Hax


Past misdeeds: Can boyfriend's mom make it up? Published on Aug 22nd, 2013 1 comments Dear Carolyn: From what my daughter's boyfriend has told me of his childhood, his mom sounds cold, unloving, even borderline abusive. He's quick to reassure me that she...
Beck and call: It's time for friendship boundaries Published on Aug 8th, 2013 2 comments Dear Carolyn: I have a friend who has a meltdown about twice or three times a week. I've become her go-to person because we are in the same profession. I've reviewed...
That smarts: Siblings get low grade on getting along Published on Jul 18th, 2013 0 comments Dear Carolyn: I have always been the smart one. The sister was an average student, and I have always excelled in all areas of academia. This sounds conceited, I know,...
Walk of blame: Unhappy wife wants hubby to bow out Published on Jul 11th, 2013 1 comments Dear Carolyn: My husband has been friends since college with a woman who ended up marrying one of his fraternity brothers. Her husband is an alcoholic who will not go...
Thanks but no thanks? Gift giver ponders modern etiquette Published on Jul 4th, 2013 10 comments Dear Carolyn:I am confused over gift-giving etiquette with the current generation. I have always been prompt in sending gifts, money, cards to my relatives for birthdays, holidays, weddings, births,...
Pushy pop: Help dealing with 'daddy dearest' Published on Jun 27th, 2013 6 comments Dear Carolyn: I am a 19-year-old college student who is home for the summer. At my father's insistence, I found a menial summer job at a fast-food joint. I had been...
Fit to fight: Dad and daughter driving mom mad Published on Jun 13th, 2013 1 comments Hi, Carolyn: How do you tell someone you love that you think they might have a psychiatric issue that needs to be addressed, i.e., crippling anxiety? ...
Stuck in the middle: Sibling dispute is tearing us apart Published on May 30th, 2013 0 comments Dear Carolyn: I have an older sister, "Mary," and younger, "Tracy," who simply do not get along. Mary hasn't done anything specific like bullying, but I've never seen...
Tiny bullies Published on May 23rd, 2013 1 comments Carolyn: I'm having trouble dealing with my violent niece and nephew, 5 and 7. I have two children of my own a little older. We are a tight family that (mostly,...
Reality bites: How do you change everything? Published on May 9th, 2013 0 comments Dear Carolyn: Sometimes I think I'd like someone to rescue me from my life– someone to make it so I don't have to work anymore, and I just sit back and not...
MIL's a martyr-- and hubby is, too Published on Apr 25th, 2013 0 comments Hi, Carolyn: My husband's 49-year-old brother has advanced cirrhosis. The prognosis sounds pretty grim. My mother-in-law, who is taking care of him and trying to make his...