Dear Carolyn: I realize every relationship is different. Regardless, consider a “typical” marriage of a couple who married young. Five years later, he walks in on her cheating. He walks out. End of relationship. Does…

For many, the Fourth of July holiday may be a day off from work, but Karen Blakeslee says it’s not a day off from food safety. “Handling food safely is important every day, not just…

Dear Carolyn: “Susie” and I separated last year. Our divorce will be final soon. We have a young son and maintain a friendly relationship. When we separated, Susie moved with our son. Susie’s new next-door…

Hi, Carolyn: My boyfriend is always putting his female colleague before me — they travel together a lot, even share an apartment (two bedrooms) when they do, and when he’s with me he always takes…

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…