Adapted from an online discussion. Dear Carolyn: My fiancé and I bought a house late last year, with help from his parents. Though we both make good salaries, he comes from a rich family, and…

Dear Carolyn: My best friend has for a variety of reasons become attached to her cellphone. It has gotten so bad that I don’t like dining out with her. Her phone dings with messages and…

We asked readers to channel their inner Carolyn Hax and answer this question. Some of the best responses are below. Hello Carolyn: I met a cool woman out at a party with mutual friends. We…

Dear Carolyn: My mother does a million things that come under the heading of “playing games.” One of them is this: When she wants to make a point, instead of stating it straight-up, she badgers…

Adapted from an online discussion. Dear Carolyn: I have always struggled with self-esteem. I don’t think most people I know are aware of this, as I fake it pretty well and it doesn’t intrude on…

Dear Carolyn: Three months ago, our nephew married his girlfriend. They had planned to marry later, but she became pregnant, and they moved the date up. Our invitation came via email from the groom’s mother…

Adapted from an online discussion. Dear Carolyn: I am planning to propose to my girlfriend in a few weeks. She knows it’s coming, we’ve discussed it, no real surprises. I think a ring would be…

Adapted from online discussions. Dear Carolyn: How do I gently tell my spouse and daughter I do not enjoy family trips with them when hotels and other expensive activities may be involved? I want to…

Dear Carolyn: My brother announced to the family three weeks before Thanksgiving that he and his wife of 30 years were getting a divorce. We were all stunned, confused, mad. I was mad about the…

Hi, Carolyn: From what I can tell, all the following are the wrong reasons to have kids: 1. To keep a relationship together. (It could make it worse.) 2. To have someone to take care…