DEAR HARRIETTE: My best friend got married last year in Peru. She and her husband invited family only, wanting to keep the wedding small due to budget.
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• If you love to craft with kids, it’s important to stock up on supplies that are free of harsh chemicals. Many products like ink pads, markers and craft paints can contain asthma-triggering chemicals or have high levels of volatile organic compounds. The basic rule of thumb is, if the product has a smell, it’s likely chemical-based. How do you avoid these products? Look for labels that say “nontoxic” or “water-based” for the cleanest options. And search online for ways to make DIY paints, play dough and even slime using all-natural ingredients.
DEAR HARRIETTE: Last week, my mom told me that she was married and divorced before she met my dad. I am 35 years old, and she just shared this with me now. I was surprised because she has never mentioned this before. I had no idea there had been another marriage, and it feels weird that something so big was hidden from me for my whole life. She mentioned it casually, almost like it wasn’t a big deal, but to me it is. I keep wondering why she never told me before. I wonder if she was ashamed or if she just didn’t think it mattered because she didn’t have any kids from the marriage and hasn’t talked to her ex-husband in over 40 years.
DEAR HARRIETTE: I feel awkward when people ask me how much money I make. I recently got a new job at a large tech company as a vice president, and now many of my friends and family keep asking me how much I make. In my opinion, it’s always rude to ask how much money someone makes, so I always tell people that I’m not going to give them that information. The problem is that when I say that, people get visibly uncomfortable or make jokes about it. Some will say things like, “Oh, it must be a lot if you won’t tell us,” or “Must be nice!” Others push even harder and try to guess the number out loud.
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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.
Dear Doctors: I’m a side sleeper and normally it’s on my right side. I got hurt in a soccer game, and for a couple of nights I had to switch to sleeping on my left side. Right away my heartbeat felt louder and stronger. My wife says it happens to her too and not to worry.
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: I’m a wife and mom, and I work full-time, which means my days are busy from the moment I wake up until I close my eyes at night. With getting my kids ready in the morning, working all day, handling dinner, helping with homework and household responsibilities, it feels like every minute of my life belongs to someone else. For 2026, I set a goal to start running. It’s something I’ve wanted to do for years – not to train for a marathon or change how I look, but simply to have something that’s just for me and to feel healthier and to have more energy. The problem is, I genuinely don’t know where to fit it in. Early mornings feel impossible because I’m already exhausted, and evenings are filled with family obligations and more exhaustion. Once I have a moment, all I want to do is rest.