ArcaMax

Dear Eric: My 92-year-old father and my 66-year-old brother live together in another state. My father lives at home, is completely functional, drives and can take care of himself. My brother is independent and takes trips frequently.

My issue is visiting them, something I feel like I need/want to do on a regular basis. Their house is livable, ...Read more

Dear Eric: About 10 years back, I became the primary caretaker for our mother, even though there are five other siblings scattered throughout the country. She resides at a high-level care assisted-living facility nearby, is a healthy 99, but has some significant dementia.

I’m visiting one or two times a week and also take her to all her ...Read more

Dear Eric: My fiancé and I are facing an impasse regarding the guest list for our upcoming wedding. I want to exclude his brother's (the best man) wife from the invitation list.

She consistently refuses to engage with me socially, going no further than a brief "hi." There has been no conflict; she simply does not converse with me. Although, if...Read more

Dear Eric: I'm not sure what to do about my deceased father's best friend. My father’s friend is currently 86 years old. I had hoped that he could fill me in on who my father was. My father was barely in my life; he left my brother and I with a horribly abusive mother.

Well, this gentleman "Hank" will take anything that I say and one-ups me. ...Read more

Dear Eric: I have been taking dance classes from the same instructor for years. There are a number of us students who would like to see more technique, as opposed (or in addition) to more steps, taught as some dance styles rely heavily on technique (West Coast Swing is an example).

We really enjoy the classes and the instructor's commitment to ...Read more

Dear Eric: I am the youngest of four and the only girl. I happen to be deaf (I speak and read lips). It's always been a challenge communicating with the whole family. Often the conversation feels like watching a ping-pong game and I often miss snippets of conversations and jokes.

My oldest brother got married to a woman who has a teenage ...Read more

Dear Eric: My husband and I have been married 31 years. We each have two children of our own. They are all grown.

His boys have different mothers; I raised one and helped with the younger one. As soon as the younger one became an adult, the problems began. Around holidays he starts picking fights, stirring trouble, spreading rumors. Then ...Read more

Dear Eric: What is the kindest way to end friendships?

In the past, I have prided myself on being a good, loyal friend and therefore have friendships that last a very long time, some spanning decades now. However, through therapy, I have become more in tune with how I feel when I’m around people.

I have a few friends with whom I consistently...Read more

Dear Eric: I am in a 20-year relationship with a mostly great guy, and we finally moved in together seven months ago. Things are going well for the most part considering we both lived on our own for the entire relationship.

I have a dead-end job in an office. Same old 8 to 5, five days a week. Nothing ever changes and every day is the same. I'm...Read more

Dear Eric: I love my mother dearly but at 84 she has reached the point of rambling. She is still fully in control of her capabilities and is mentally acute, but her conversations are now filled with details about friends of friends and their problems, health issues, et cetera.

It would be one thing if I knew these people, but the people she ...Read more

Dear Eric: I’m 61, widowed, and still work full time as a registered nurse in a very busy hospice house.

I lost my husband four years ago, and since then went through a medical scare twice, diagnosed with cirrhosis, sleep apnea and chronic anxiety, have bought and sold two homes, purchased a new car and created significant credit card debt ...Read more

Dear Eric: I recently pet sat for somewhat new friends. I had been invited on a weekend trip with them but had a work commitment that meant I couldn't go. I offered to pet sit for them, which is something I've done for other friends from time to time.

During the weekend there was an incident which wasn't really anyone’s fault that resulted in...Read more

Dear Eric: I have to work with a very arrogant person, and it is hard to manage his dismissive attitude and grumpy remarks.

The thing is, I am paying him to do work on my home. He is a talented and skilled person, but his personality is very off-putting as he seems to honestly believe he is the smartest person in the room, which is ridiculous. ...Read more

Dear Eric: My wife and I own a guest house up the street from our home. When we’re not using it for ourselves, my wife rents it out on Airbnb. The Airbnb guests pay a nightly rate and also pay a cleaning fee, which we use to pay the cleaning staff after they check out.

I like to let friends from out of town stay there for free when they are ...Read more

Dear Eric: I am 60 years old and have had hearing loss since grade school. I’d flunk all those screening tests. My two younger siblings also have my same type of hearing loss and have worn hearing aids since their 40s at least.

My siblings are persistent in trying to get me to buy hearing aids which they feel I need. Yes, I probably need them...Read more

Dear Eric: My boyfriend of almost two years seems unable to break away from his former spouse's family. The marriage lasted 15 years. There were no children, so he has virtually no contact with the wife.

However, he seems unwilling to refuse any invitation from the family to have dinner, lunch and go on weekend trips to their bay house. ...Read more

Dear Eric: Why should I go to my 50th high school reunion? I received a phone call from a former classmate who wouldn't give me the time of day when we were in school together. “You need to go!” No, thank you.

The cost is outrageous. Plus, most of the people I would like to see are either not going or are deceased.

During my high school ...Read more

Dear Eric: Often when I’m eating at a restaurant or cafe, I’ll notice other tables leaving half-finished food to be thrown out. In these situations, I’m tempted to either ask if I can have the remaining food, or to just pick it up from the empty table. I don’t like food waste and am completely unbothered by the thought of sharing food ...Read more

Dear Eric: I send birthday and Christmas gifts to my great-niece (8) and great-nephew (3) who live in another country. I haven't seen my great-niece since she was 6 months old and I've never met my great-nephew. I am not close to their parents, my nephew and his wife.

We communicate via WhatsApp. I ask them what the kids would like and get ...Read more

Dear Eric: I am getting older. I have lived in my home more than half my life. I raised my children, educated myself, had a career and launched my kids while living here as a long-divorced person.

In the last few years, my body has changed. I now use a walker. My mind works just fine. Many confuse mobility issues with thinking issues.

Today, a...Read more