ArcaMax

Dear Eric: I had a relationship with a man for eight years, during a turbulent time in my life. We broke up five years ago. He has cut all contact with me. However, he still talks to my mother. She pays his rent, bought him a new car that was the same make and model as the one she helped me buy, but one year newer.

I have told her that her ...Read more

Dear Eric: I recently took a vacation with my mother-in-law, and we had a miserable

time. It’s causing a rift in our relationship.

I’ve been with my husband for four years now, and in hindsight, his mom and I have never spent more than a few hours alone together. In those times, I’ve seen glimpses of a part of her personality that I ...Read more

Dear Eric: I’m part of a group that meets up on a regular basis to engage in a hobby. These gatherings have been a great refuge for me. We have enjoyable, interesting conversations and a great rapport. One friend, “Rose”, has started including her daughter “Tracy” in some of these gatherings, which has changed the group dynamic and ...Read more

Dear Eric: My wife's brother and his wife recently left on a six-week overseas trip, leaving their 14-year-old son at home with his grandfather, who speaks very little English. They didn't leave any instructions with anyone in case of an emergency.

My wife and I are close to their son, "Bobby". Last week, Bobby had a mental breakdown. He called...Read more

Dear Eric: I left my 32-year marriage more than 20 years ago, due to my ex-husband’s extramarital affairs. We have four adult children who I virtually raised alone as he was never available to them physically or emotionally.

I wanted the children to have a good relationship with their father as I treasured my relationship with my parents. I ...Read more

Dear Eric: Over the past few years, more and more of my long-time friends have vanished from my life. One sent a message reading “I am retired,” and when asked how she was enjoying her retirement, sent the same message repeatedly as her reply. One asked me to vacation with her, and when I replied enthusiastically, never contacted me for a ...Read more

Dear Eric: I grew up with highly educated parents, with a strong work ethic. Because of my and my also well-educated and accomplished husband’s many years of hard work, we have been able to provide well for our children. Unfortunately, all of them have had health difficulties from birth, and instead of growing and recovering, they each ...Read more

Dear Eric: My 35-year-old daughter “Mary” and I were very close in her early 20s, after she emerged from troubled teen years of substance abuse and self-destructive behaviors. She continues to stay clean and sober, with a successful career.

But several years ago, things went sideways between us. Everything I said made her angry. I’m ...Read more

Dear Eric: When my daughter married 25 years ago, both she and her husband decided to go vegan. My husband and I respected and fully supported them. After all, we had raised her on meals cooked from scratch out of natural ingredients and saw veganism as a move in an even purer direction.

Sure, it was hard to ditch the turkey at Thanksgiving and...Read more

Dear Eric: I am in a predicament with my older sister. My mother passed away a few years ago, before getting her assets in order. This resulted in my sister gaining access to the majority of my mother's assets. My sister has lived in the family home for much of her life, most recently since 2010. She feels it is hers, but she has never had a ...Read more

Dear Eric: I'm not sure how to feel. I have been married for 37 years. About 43 years ago my husband (who was not my husband then) had a one-night hookup. The woman is now with my husband's brother. It is very uncomfortable and awkward for him and me.

I don't feel right being in the same room with her. We have decided not to attend family ...Read more

Dear Eric: I have been married nearly 35 years. We and my husband’s family all live a few blocks from each other.

My husband’s father passed away a year ago. My husband coordinated a family outing to the beach for Father’s Day. We found out that his brother hosted his mother and sister for a barbecue down the block after the gathering. We...Read more

Dear Eric: This is probably an odd question. A very large percentage of the time, more than 50 percent, when I come home from being out (lunch/shopping/whatever), my husband is in the restroom. The powder room is right next to his office and sometimes I’ve tried to open the door, and it’s locked, which seems odd since he’s the only one in ...Read more

Dear Eric: I am a 62-year-old woman who recently relocated to her hometown in the Midwest from the East Coast, after 40 years. I have a wonderful network of friends here, whom I’ve known practically my entire life.

I’m happier than I could have imagined with my decision to move here.

Something that has become apparent is, while I have a ...Read more

Dear Eric: My estranged niece has a 9-year-old daughter whom we love very much. The father was married with children when she was born and died a few days after.

We strongly feel his parents have a right to know of this fantastic child. Grandniece will eventually seek them out. By letting them know now it should ease the shock of learning later...Read more

Dear Eric: My mom, 75, has been living with me and my husband for five years. One day she said she was selling her house and said she was moving in with me. She had always talked about it, and I told her, when the time came, she could move in as long as she added a room and a bathroom to our small bungalow. She had plenty of money to fund this. ...Read more

Dear Eric: I recently left a members-only business network group to which I belonged for half of my professional life. I was always a very active member of the group. Every year, I consistently gave many more client referrals than I received. I was happy overall with the business sent my way, so I kept renewing my membership and didn't complain ...Read more

Dear Eric: My oldest daughter is going through a rough divorce. Her soon to be ex-husband is asking for alimony, extra expenses and basically putting her through the ringer, because he thinks she owes it to him due to her infidelity. She met her new boyfriend when she was still married.

This has put my grandchild in a difficult and confusing ...Read more

Dear Eric: I need you to smack me upside the head. I'm married with two young kids. For some reason, I've developed a huge crush on a guy who works at my local supermarket. This is eating me alive! I hate that I feel this way. I think about him all the time, he's popped up in my dreams, and I find myself looking for him when I go to the market. ...Read more

Dear Eric: Is it normal for an unmarried man over 60 to want a baby? Where should he look for a marriage-minded young woman willing to accept the age difference? How should he deal with the social stigma against May-December relationships?

– Ticking Biological Clock

Dear Clock: Anyone who is thinking about becoming a parent would be wise to ...Read more