Dear Ms. Hax: Six months ago, reduced circumstances led me to move to a neighborhood with very small yards. Each house is roughly 15 feet away from the next, and the backyards are tiny. For…

Dear Carolyn: Our son was born early, spending weeks in intensive care. His first name is my father-in-law’s, middle name is my dad’s, and he has a combo last name — part of both families.…

The empty nest stage is the time in parents’ lives when their last child has left the home.  Some think “empty nest” is a negative term. Others believe that parenting does not end when their…

Dear Dr. Roach: I have a relative who fits the description of intermittent explosive disorder, which I recently read about. Could you please tell me what kind of therapy a person would need if diagnosed…

Dear Carolyn: A close college friend of mine, “Anne,” is a mom of a lovely 3-year-old, and for the past three years she has not stopped demanding that our mutual college friend — “Joan,” to…

Dear Dr. Roach: I am an 82-year-old female. I started to have mild low-back pain a year ago, and it escalated to sciatica in my left leg and finally culminated in a pain crisis requiring…

Hi, Carolyn: I was in a relationship from age 24 to 36. I’m now over 60. The relationship was abusive, but subtly so — or so it seemed to me. Lots of gaslighting, lots of…

Dear Carolyn: Our 24-year-old daughter, “Kate,” moved back in with us. She and I get along well, but she and her mom butt heads. My wife is disappointed Kate did not go straight to graduate…

Dear Carolyn: I have been married for 30 years to a guy whose family does not consider anyone outside the immediate family as family, we — spouses, significant others — are asked to step aside…

This spring brought an increased interest in gardening. Now that the gardens are planted and things are beginning to grow, gardeners should be on the lookout for insect pests.  If you are having difficulty with…