Carolyn Hax is away. The following first appeared in 2010. Hi, Carolyn: I’ve always considered myself an independent person. I am a married, full-time working mother of two young children, so I’ve got my hands…

Adapted from an online discussion. Dear Carolyn: My partner and I are blending families. We each have two kids within the 5 to 10 range. It’s going well for the most part, but sometimes it…

Dear Carolyn: I’ve always found my in-laws stressful — particularly my mother-in-law. She is consistently negative, follows an EXTREMELY rigid diet and is critical about everything we eat if it doesn’t fit her diet. My…

Adapted from an online discussion. Dear Carolyn: I’m really frustrated with my wife and maybe need a reality check. My parents are so easy to be around if you know how to handle them. I…

Dear Carolyn: My young adult daughter is closer to her mom and makes no effort to see me when she’s home, though we’ve always gotten along well. I’ve tried suggesting outings I think she’ll enjoy,…

Adapted from an online discussion. Hello, Carolyn: Yesterday my teenage son was diagnosed with anxiety disorder and was prescribed meds. Two months ago, my teen daughter was diagnosed with depression and put on meds. I’ve…

Adapted from an online discussion. Dear Carolyn: I’m a woman in my 40s who was recently diagnosed with ADHD. Cool. Explains a lot. Since receiving my diagnosis, I’ve had a major shift in how I…

Dear Carolyn: My ex-wife asked for a separation in December 2022, and we finalized the divorce in August, so it’s not even been six months. I know it was for the best; we weren’t happy…

Dear Carolyn: I’m a middle-aged hetero woman who has been divorced for many years. I gained 20 pounds over the past couple of years due to hormone imbalance (thanks, menopause!). I’ve also recently discovered that…

Adapted from an online discussion. Dear Carolyn: Are parents with little kids bound to be exhausted while still doing the bare minimum all the time? My kids are 3.5 and 1, and my husband and…