Dear Harriette

DEAR HARRIETTE: I haven’t seen my camp friend from California in over two years — partially because of the pandemic. She recently reached out to me and said she would be in New York for a few days. She asked me if I wanted to grab dinner. Even though at one point we considered ourselves…

Dear Harriette Harriette Cole DEAR HARRIETTE: I’m a gay guy from a pretty liberal family. My parents let my two older sisters get their ears pierced when they were really young; however, when I ask my parents if I can get my ears pierced, they change the conversation or shrug it off. I’ve really wanted…

Dear Harriette by Harriette Cole DEAR HARRIETTE: I have started walking for fitness, and it is good for me: I am slowly getting healthier and shedding a bit of weight. Because I am still heavy, though, I can walk only so far before my knees start hurting. I work with a trainer who recommended that…

DEAR HARRIETTE: I hurt myself the other night. I had been drinking rather heavily after having an argu- ment with my husband, and when I stumbled into my room, I fell and hit my shoulder. When I woke up the next morning, I had a good-sized bruise. At first, I didn’t even remember why. I…

DEAR HARRIETTE: A few months ago, one of my friends texted in our group chat that she needed to take a break from us. She has always struggled with her mental health, and she explained that she couldn’t handle the pressure of hanging out with people right now. She said that if we wanted to, we…

DEAR HARRIETTE: I’m about to enter my sopho- more year of high school, and I realize that I’m 100% a lesbian — more specifically, a closeted lesbian. I’ve been on a few dates here and there with girls, and nothing has ever progressed further. For those situations, I just told my parents I was hanging…

Dear Harriette by Harriette Cole DEAR HARRIETTE: My parents have been Mormons for their whole lives — they grew up in a very religious culture and attended Brigham Young University. When I decided to leave the church last year, my parents were respectful, and I was quite pleased. But now I’m finding it increasingly difficult…

DEAR HARRIETTE: I just recently got my driver’s license and posted about it on Instagram. I’m one of the first in my grade to get it. Now, new people who I’ve never even talked to are reaching out for plans. I’ve always had trouble making friends, so it feels nice to be wanted. I just…

Dear Harriette by Harriette Cole DEAR HARRIETTE: I let my daughter’s best friend live with us for her final semester of college. The agreement was that she would stay and pay $300 a month to rent out our upstairs guest room until she graduated. After graduation, the plan was for her to move back to…

Dear Harriette by Harriette Cole DEAR HARRIETTE: I took a job as an assistant to a celebrity hairstylist a few months ago. Sometimes, when he is late to an appointment or has to leave early unexpectedly, I will start or finish the job myself. Despite this, when he posts the clients’ pictures to his (very…