Carolyn Hax

Mother-in-law shares constant disappointment, but letter writer would rather put her scarce time into other relationships.

Letter writer’s community celebrations “used to fill me with such joy,” but they’re gone now and proving tough to replace.

Is it worse for the letter writer to let her ex disappoint the kids or to keep propping him up?

Son’s friend identifies as male, but his parents won’t affirm that, and the letter writer wonders how to navigate their conflict.

After her sister’s death, she helped her brother-in-law raise their kids — but he’s dating now, and she’s off the family calendar.

Letter writer was just awakened to her husband’s habit of negating whatever she says, and now it haunts her.

Bride’s mom bargained for a “casual” party for her own friends after the wedding, then blew it up into a catered affair.

After letter writer’s reaction to cross-contaminated tongs, dad victim-blames and the grands serve salmon for the next brunch.

Advice columnist Carolyn Hax answers your questions about the strange train we call life.

Boyfriend, 24, admitted he lied about owning his condo, and the letter writer has second thoughts about his second chance.