Justin and Nicolle Hoepker of Iola announce the engagement of their daughter Chassis Hoepker to Spencer Patterson of Sanford, N.C. Spencer is the son of Robert and Susan Patterson of Sanford, N.C.  Chassis graduated from…

Carolyn Hax is away. The following first appeared Aug. 2 and Sept. 20, 2009. Dear Carolyn: A neighbor’s child, 12, spends tremendous amounts of time at my house with my child, including for snacks and…

We asked readers to channel their inner Carolyn Hax and answer this question. Some of the best responses are below. Dear Carolyn: My 30-something daughter was already professionally successful and attractive when she started getting…

Adapted from an online discussion. Dear Carolyn: My husband and I own a vacation cabin, which we have always encouraged my son and his wife to use on their own. This year, they were planning…

Adapted from an online discussion. Hi, Carolyn: My spouse and I know several couples who are divorcing. In one case, we are “better” friends with one person in the couple, but still friends with both.…

Adapted from an online discussion. Dear Carolyn: The other day, my girlfriend and I were at dinner with some friends of ours, a couple. I was deeply shocked when our friends asked me for an…

Q. My ex-boyfriend and I have been apart for six months. Our daughter is 14 months old. After we broke up, he moved in a new girlfriend a month later. I worry if that’s too…

Adapted from an online discussion. Dear Carolyn: My mom never talked about my birth father much as I was growing up. She just said he had a lot of problems that made it hard for…

Hi, Carolyn: My husband and partner of 37 years, age 65, has been courageously battling a neurological disease for the past 10 years. He is three years past the average life expectancy for this disease,…

Adapted from an online discussion. Dear Carolyn: I raised two kids, and I stayed home full time when they were small. Once I went back to work — my youngest was 4 — my life…