Voices

Working mother

I am a successful business owner and the proud father of a three-year-old boy. He is the highlight of my life. His mother and I…


My child or myself?

I am a 26–year-old mom with a 5-year-old son. His father and I separated before he was 2. My son and I moved to another…


Chain of command

My micromanaging boss drives me crazy. I was promoted to supervisor of a large staff last year. I am quite capable of handling this position….


Not a bad guy

I hired my best friend’s cousin to landscape my house. He cashed my check before starting the job and did horrible work. I let him…


Friendly chutzpah

My friend is obsessed with supposedly distasteful aspects of his appearance (which no one on the planet would even notice). He has self-diagnosed this obsession…


Anti-aging culture

I realize that this may sound self-absorbed, but I am turning 65 soon and can find nothing good about it. I’ve felt bad about my…



Taming your dragons

There is so much I want to do with my life, but every time I start toward some possibility, I freeze. I get so knotted…


Ex-treme situation

My husband’s ex-wife calls him at work, often several times a day. She called him at home, too, until I told her to stop. I…


She’s leaving home

I have been married for 25 years to a considerate, good man. For 23 years, I have wanted to leave. My husband is thoughtful and…


Marital rifts

My wife and I just celebrated 30 years of marriage. Now, I’m wondering whether to divorce her. She has changed a lot (personality, goals, care…


Give up the ghost

My ex-boyfriend (the love of my life and best friend) died suddenly. One month later, I ran into a friend who had lost his girlfriend…


For better or worse

I have been married for six years to a man I thought was my best friend. When we met, he could barely eke out a…


The ex, the baby and me

My boyfriend and I have dated for three years. It’s been intense, rocky at times, but we really love each other. We broke up halfway…


Seven-year itch

For seven years, I have worked two low-paying jobs six days a week so I can moonlight as an artist. After a year of this…