Dear Carolyn: My mother conceived both my brother and me using a sperm donor. This information was never kept from us, and my mother has spoken openly about it throughout our lives. My stepdad adopted…

Dear Carolyn: I’m tired of feeling caught between my husband and my parents. They didn’t like him and outright told him they thought marrying him wasn’t the best path for me. Friction increased when I…

Hi, Carolyn: My boyfriend used to be married to “Mandy,” with whom he has two children. He had a serious affair with “Jennifer” and left Mandy to be with her. Their mutual friends and Mandy’s…

Hi, Carolyn: About eight years ago, when our kids were in elementary school, I became casual friends with five other women, moms “in the same class.” As time went on, the kids’ friendships changed. The…

Dear Carolyn: Earlier this year, I moved back to where I grew up and reconnected with some old friends. My best friend from high school was especially excited to see me again, and we started…

Dear Carolyn: I don’t want to be that mother. You know, the kind inappropriately invested in her kid winning, achieving, etc. But I have those tendencies, because I think I was raised that way myself.…

Dear Carolyn: Many think my best friend “Sara” has it all: four adorable children, a successful husband (“Jim”), and a beautiful home. Jim is an absolute dear, but here’s the thing. I think he’s gay.…

Dear Carolyn: My grandfather is in his 90s. He’s in great health overall, is mentally very sharp and lives very close to family. My mother has taken to lying to him when she has something…

Dear Carolyn: I’m getting married this summer to the man of my dreams and things have been great. We’ve got a new house, I’m graduating college next May and we’re really happy. He wants a…

Hi, Carolyn: My father’s wife (my mom is deceased) never lifts a finger to help, never offers to pitch in, cook or buy a meal, ever. Nothing! On the other hand, she has been on…