DEAR HARRIETTE: Whenever I share a conflict, dilemma or even something I’m skilled at with a particular friend of mine, I’ve noticed that she responds by overexplaining it back to me – often as if I don’t fully understand my own situation or abilities. For example, if I talk through a personal issue, she’ll reframe it in basic terms, offer unsolicited lessons or explain my own feelings and motivations to me as though she’s just discovered them. If I mention a professional experience, she’ll break it down or correct me in ways that feel unnecessary and dismissive. What bothers me most is that this is someone who considers me a peer and a friend.

Hello, dear readers! Welcome to the monthly letters column. We hope the new year is treating you well, and that those who made resolutions are having a few victories. Forming new habits continues to be a popular topic, and we’ll explore new research in an upcoming column. And now, on to your mail.

DEAR HARRIETTE: Recently, my daughter asked me to tell her more about my early life. Over the years, I’ve made a point not to talk much about it, but now that she’s older and asking, I think it’s OK to share. When she asked me, I started off by explaining that I’ve never told her about my past because I didn’t have a happy childhood. The words were barely out of my mouth when my husband interrupted, insisting that happiness is subjective and that I should focus on the good life I have now. I hear what he’s saying, but he does this all the time. He accuses me of complaining or being ungrateful when I’m just sharing my truth. It’s instances like these that keep me from sharing about my childhood in the first place. I love my husband. I just wish he’d give me the space to vent or mourn or cry if I need to without his voice telling me to be strong. We’ve been married for decades. Is there any hope for change?

DEAR HARRIETTE: My daughter got married about a year ago and moved to New Jersey with her husband. He is from there, and his whole family lives in New Jersey as well. I have always been close with my daughter, so this has been a difficult transition for me because I live in Ohio. However, what has been even more difficult is how my daughter has started becoming extremely close with his family – especially his mom. I’m glad that she’s getting along with his family, but I hate to admit that I am jealous. She goes to family dinners at her in-laws’ house almost every week, spends weekends with them and talks about how helpful and supportive they’ve been in her new married life. Meanwhile, I get phone calls only when she has time, and visits are rare and expensive.