Dear Harriette

DEAR HARRIETTE: I am currently dealing with a bit of a health scare. This scare came out of nowhere for me, as I’ve never experienced anything like this before, even though I’m in my 30s. What’s more troubling is that my mother just told me that this is something that may run in our family.…

DEAR HARRIETTE: I am probably what is called a high-functioning alcoholic. I drink a lot — both with others and on my own. I do my job well, and I handle my business. Sometimes I am groggy during the day if I drank too much the night before, but mostly I manage just fine. I…

DEAR HARRIETTE: I tend to miss out on messages that people send me on Facebook because I rarely log in. A few months ago, a former friend sent me a heartfelt message expressing how much she missed our friendship and how sorry she was for our estrangement. Unfortunately, I missed the message. She messaged me…

Dear Harriette Harriette Cole DEAR HARRIETTE: I recently found out that my boyfriend has been googling breakup-related questions such as, “how do you know when it is time to break up?” and “how do you know if you are happy in your relationship?” He doesn’t know that I saw his search history. I am absolutely…

DEAR HARRIETTE: I have a nephew who is dead set on joining the military. He has been talking about it for a few years, and it’s almost time to enlist. He believes that it is as easy as 1-2-3: He will apply, get in and go to basic training. I hope that’s true, but that…

DEAR HARRIETTE: I have been working on a business idea with a few friends for a year now. The core group of us have had individual responsibilities to get the idea to the next level. One person in our group is not carrying her weight, though. She has promised to deliver proposals and descriptions of…

DEAR HARRIETTE: I am at a loss on how to express my concerns to my cousin. She has gone through some serious emotional trauma at the hands of her parents, and I have witnessed firsthand how she hasn’t fully healed or even addressed those issues seriously. My cousin has been talking about having children, but…

DEAR HARRIETTE: A few days ago, I went out with a friend for dinner. As I was about to pay, I realized that I had left my wallet at home. Not to worry, I thought. I had my phone, and I knew that the venue accepted Apple Pay. So I attempted to use it, only…

DEAR HARRIETTE: I never had a good relationship with my sister growing up — or even as adults, quite frankly. Recently, though, we have been getting along well. We do not live in the same town, but we talk on the phone occasionally. In the past, these conversations would often be awkward. This year, though,…

DEAR HARRIETTE: My son is coming home from college soon, and I want him to do more than just sleep and hang out with his friends all summer. I have encouraged him to get a job, but he hasn’t made any inquiries yet. I know I am going to be fire-breathing mad if he does…