Asking Eric: Granddaughter chooses side after her parents’ divorce
"I am so hurt because I have given her so much with birthdays, Christmas, et...
Advice
Asking Eric: Partner leaves 10-year over towed car
"I couldn't leave work and I couldn't contact my partner. Now he refuses to speak...
Asking Eric: Spouse’s political switch mars marriage
"I am devastated that my husband and I cannot talk about or agree about anything...
Asking Eric: Remote work policy creates chaos in office
"Those who are at home take several extra hours responding to emails or texts, sometimes...
Asking Eric: After cheating, son’s ex-wife won’t speak to in-laws
"My son knows he did the wrong thing by cheating on his wife. He knew...
Asking Eric: Caregiver with cerebral palsy wants more help
"The issue is that her surviving younger siblings didn't do a thing to relieve me,...
Asking Eric: Friend’s paranoia keeps her away from medical help
"Should we just step back and let her face the consequences of her own stubbornness?"
This artist scavenges vintage photos for her life-sized paintings, bringing the dead back to life
Daisy Patton’s oversized, flower-powered paintings are something of a spectacle, and it is easy to...
Asking Eric: GLP-1 use disrupts friend group
"What used to be an enjoyable time for all of us has turned into not...
Asking Eric: Name-calling leads to split with daughter
"I've never harmed her and her loss is killing me. How can I fix myself...
Asking Eric: Violent brother threatens to crash surprise party
"The last time they were together was when their mom passed away. His brother wanted...
Asking Eric: After hurtful divorce, old family photos cause pain
"I know it bothers our son to view photos of happier times when he visits....
Asking Eric: Family friend demands hugs, despite parents’ objections
"I think Helen is the rude one for forcing her hugs on everyone she meets....
Asking Eric: Couple’s retirement threatened by unemployed son and overly generous dad
"The problem is they come to us for money. All. The. Time. My husband, bless...
Asking Eric: Sibling’s messy home raises alarms for family
"The home has always been cluttered but apparently, it’s gotten to a point of concern."
Asking Eric: Sister ponders sharing family secrets
"My older brother had a daughter when he was a teenager. Only I know this....
Asking Eric: Friend’s bossy behavior to boyfriend causes concerns
"It makes me uncomfortable and angry to see the way she treats him. I’ve lost...
Asking Eric: Family bans ‘quirky’ friend from holidays
"My family has grown tired of me including her and have asked that I not...
Asking Eric: Friends and counselors tell husband to leave, but he won’t
"I would like to have a healthy relationship before I die. I also have not...
Asking Eric: Years-old holiday slight still stings
"His brothers criticized us for bringing it up and my sister-in-law said there are two...
Asking Eric: Grandson objects to grandparent’s drinking
"When the family came to my house to visit, I had a glass of wine...
Asking Eric: Sister’s memories of the past conflict with the truth
"In recent years she has recounted “memories” of our family that invariably paint me and...
Asking Eric: Daughter moved out but is still paying boyfriend’s rent
"How can I talk to my daughter about my concerns? How can I help her...
Asking Eric: Remorseless gossip doesn’t want to change
"Do you have strategies for changing my ways when I don’t really want to change...
Asking Eric: Boyfriend and college friend have conflicted history
"Whatever the truth is, I don’t really think these two are going to be best...
Asking Eric: Daughter’s drawing hurts mother’s feelings
"Why am I feeling this way? Any other time I would not care and let...
Asking Eric: Sister’s ongoing conflict with father cause family stress
"She has even said when he passes, she'll watch him go in the ground and...
Asking Eric: Coworker in toxic workplace wonders ‘am I the drama?’
"I think of myself as helpful and amenable but it’s possible I’m also a negative...
Asking Eric: After inheriting money, friend worries about making friends uncomfortable
"I would like to use this money for enrichment of my life and my friends’...
Asking Eric: Teacher traumatized by students’ crises
"Those rose-colored glasses I managed to keep on through 19 years of hearing horror stories...
Asking Eric: New work friendship sends mixed messages
"I enjoy being her friend, but I’m confused about what kind of relationship she wants."
Asking Eric: Annual trip was friends-only until two started dating
"So, I don’t understand why I’m feeling this way. Should I say something or just...
Asking Eric: In-laws get into altercation on vacation
"One of the guys actually threatened the other for correcting his kids and left abruptly...
Asking Eric: Spurned stepbrother considers revenge with scandalous photos
"At the funeral my half-sister told me I was emotionally disturbed and my memories of...
Asking Eric: Happily married couple disagrees about intimacy
"Aside from early into the relationship, my spouse will not initiate sex."
Asking Eric: Florida heat might cause wife to leave husband
"I have been in central Florida for more than 26 years, and it has become...
Asking Eric: Brother’s boundaries are unreasonable
"I value family highly and don't think you can just decide that family isn't family."
Asking Eric: ‘Good’ sister stole family treasures while sister was on mission trip
"As far as they know, my sister is just a very successful, generous person, greatly...
Asking Eric: Dating apps lead to uncomfortable conversations
"I feel dumbfounded and feel maybe I need to be a little more lenient and...
Asking Eric: Estranged daughter considers resuming communication
"He's pushed away most family and longtime friends."
Asking Eric: Ailing person shamed for being too skinny
"Several women who I had never met cornered me and said that I was too...
Asking Eric: Estranged parents worry about will
"We can't do counseling with them as they don't acknowledge texts, phone calls, etc."
Asking Eric: Interracial couple’s social media posts called ‘racist’
"She unsent the message so I assume she realized she messed up, but she hasn’t...
Asking Eric: Friend’s harsh personality pushes people away
"Because I have earned the reputation of being her trusty friend (she’s clingy), when she’s...
Asking Eric: Girlfriend’s career goals are a red flag
"Our son is handsome, funny, intelligent and hardworking, but he doesn't seem to realize his...
Asking Eric: Friend posts ‘tacky’ Facebook death announcement
"Wouldn’t you think if someone wanted to send something and they didn’t know her address,...
Asking Eric: Unlucky in love friend needs help
"I don’t know what advice to tell him about how to be more interesting to...
Asking Eric: Father doesn’t know how to talk to daughter about mother’s infidelity
"It seems that no matter what, cheating spouses create a large blast area of emotional...
Asking Eric: Candidate husband doesn’t have spouse’s vote
"I can’t understand why he’s doing this at all. I don’t think he would be...
Asking Eric: Couple fears PDA is driving away friends
"We're not talking about tongue-in-mouth stuff, but kind words, admiring glances, holding hands, cuddling --...
Asking Eric: Suburban family holds ‘intervention’ for city-loving child
"I’m really happy here. It’s been five years and I don’t see any reason to...
Asking Eric: Resident wants to warn new homeowners about swinger neighbors
"The house on the other side of them is for sale. Should I let potential...
Asking Eric: Husband’s poor hygiene mars otherwise great marriage
"He doesn't brush his teeth enough, he doesn't take enough showers, he doesn't use deodorant."
Asking Eric: Couple considers breakup after years of drinks and drugs
"Am I being a total jerk? Or do I have a point? And if so,...
Asking Eric: Ill sister won’t seek medical care
"I’ve tried, without success, to convince her to see a doctor since waiting will only...
Asking Eric: Friend uses couple for their pool
"I feel that we are being used and do not know how to broach the...
Asking Eric: Parents want to be included in vacation activities despite mobility challenges
"My husband and I love to walk cities and routinely walk 10 to 12 miles...
Asking Eric: Aging mom seems disinterested in daughters
"She never asks about us or has any in-depth conversations about anything."
Asking Eric: Newly sober friend won’t make amends
"My friend thinks everyone should be very proud of him for 'getting clean,' but he...
Asking Eric: Bridge bully ruins game play
"This has caused so much friction, that I finally gave up playing with these three...
Asking Eric: Husband lies about his past
"I am hurt, but the main feeling I'm having right now is simply questioning the...
Asking Eric: Young widow left behind by spouse’s friends
"I am a reminder of days none of us will ever have again, but does...
Asking Eric: Widowed stepmother won’t return family heirlooms
"When I’ve asked for even small things with no significance to her, paintings, my great-grandmother’s...
Asking Eric: Friends constantly cancel on plans
Advice on relationships, family, work and everyday life with practical, compassionate guidance and a touch...
Asking Eric: Boyfriend asks partner to give up her dog
"has casually commented that maybe I could give him to my friend if I move...
Asking Eric: Congregant finds pastor on dating app
"Now he wants to go on an actual date, and I don’t know what to...
Asking Eric: Son rejects mother’s funeral wishes
"Though I know he loves me dearly, he is very stubborn."
Asking Eric: Family fears causing offense with conversation about race
Advice on relationships, family, work and everyday life with practical, compassionate guidance and a touch...
Asking Eric: Ex-husband lets brand-new girlfriend babysit son
Advice on relationships, family, work and everyday life with practical, compassionate guidance and a touch...
Asking Eric: Others often take advantage of generous giver
"Neighbors say they need something, but when I offer to lend it to them, I...
Asking Eric: Angry nephew forbids aunt from seeing her dying sister
"He sent me an email telling me how he hated me and our entire family...
Asking Eric: Widower finds love with married friend
"About six or so years ago I met another woman. She lights up my life,...
Asking Eric: Overeager relatives mar family visit
"We welcome your advice as to how or whether to say something or just let...
Asking Eric: Mandatory mental health days stress employee
"I like my coworkers and we get along well together, but I think it's a...
Asking Eric: Noisy neighbor kids mar backyard oasis
"Children literally screaming. I don't know what to do."
Asking Eric: Wife’s complaint gets husband in hot water at work
"So now I’m in trouble and I can’t shake the feeling that if my wife...
Asking Eric: Adult child of friends ruins parties
"What possible way can you ask someone to sit somewhere less central without being unkind?"
Asking Eric: Daughter’s needs drive parents deep into debt
"Now, once again, we are in credit card debt up to our necks (more than...
Asking Eric: After tragedy, daughter says mother’s love is only skin-deep
"She says our relationship is only skin-deep and that's not what she wants. She's happy...
Asking Eric: Cousin is a good cook with a filthy house
"The bathroom is also often filthy. You need to experience it to completely understand."
Asking Eric: Threadbare clothing causes embarrassment
"My coat has a small tear on the side. I can't afford to replace it....
Asking Eric: Ex-stepmother may lean on estranged stepson
"Now we usually exchange texts on Mother’s Day and birthdays. But otherwise, we have no...
Asking Eric: Siblings don’t show up for mother’s centennial
"I am very disappointed and disillusioned we can’t all be together to celebrate my mother...
Asking Eric: Friends’ prejudiced thinking leads to social isolation
"I have frequently 'ghosted' long-term acquaintances for using derogatory language, as I feel they aren't...
Asking Eric: 39-year-old too anxious to get a job
"As a result of his not working and constant need for financial support, his mother...
Asking Eric: 40-year marriage suddenly sours
"However, my spouse is generally negative and critical toward me, which is wearing on me."
Asking Eric: Local celebrity’s fame puts strain on relationship
"I’m considering breaking it off. I’m not sure I have it in me to be...
Asking Eric: Kitchen remodel divides couple
"We decided to remodel our ’80s kitchen. The process has caused some huge arguments."
Asking Eric: Husband of 40 years leaves abruptly
"My husband ran to a recently widowed friend. It’s been five years."
Asking Eric: After getting dumped, letter writer wants to date younger coworker
"I am thinking of dating her, but my friends said she is too young."
Asking Eric: Friend of a friend is an enemy
"How do I explain to D that I want to hang out with D but...
Asking Eric: Friend’s allergy creates dinner drama
"If we go out again with a group that includes this woman, would it be...
Asking Eric: Sister tries to sabotage new relationship with half-siblings
"Jodie is jealous of my friendship with these siblings and is trying to sabotage it...
Asking Eric: Family asks prying questions about religious conversion
"I want to be gracious, and I don’t mind questions about my Jewish practices or...
Asking Eric: Mother says ‘no politics’ but keeps talking politics
Dear Eric: I’m a 58-year-old daughter to a 94-year-old father and an 83-year-old mother. I...
Asking Eric: Girlfriend mocks boyfriend’s body
"Can you please advise how best to respond to my joke-a-minute girlfriend when she starts...
Asking Eric: Friend punishes those who tell him ‘no’
"I have seen with my own eyes this little tower of terror unleash his wrath...
Asking Eric: Neighbor offended but won’t say why
"I was so distraught as I cannot think of what I said to hurt her,...
Asking Eric: My married ex is still in love with me
"How can others politely encourage him to get over the past and start fully living...
Asking Eric: Friend left out of burial plans but still grieving
"Sadly, nobody contacted me as to when the burial was because I had to move...
