DEAR HARRIETTE: I grew up as an army brat, and while there were many positives to that experience, it also came with significant challenges that I’m still grappling with as an adult. My family moved frequently during my childhood – sometimes multiple times within a single year.
DEAR HARRIETTE: I have been fighting with my sister about her behavior around me and my family for years, and it’s reached a breaking point. I have two daughters, ages 7 and 9, and every time their aunt comes to visit, I’m left feeling frustrated and upset. My sister has a habit of using crude language, making inappropriate jokes and displaying poor manners, even when I’ve asked her repeatedly to tone it down around the kids. What makes this even more difficult is that my girls adore their aunt. They look up to her, and her behavior is starting to rub off on them. I’ve noticed my daughters repeating some of the language she uses or mimicking her attitude, and it’s creating issues at home and school. I’ve tried explaining this to my sister, but she brushes me off, saying I’m being uptight or overreacting.
There’s nothing like a clear election victory to clear away a constitutional crisis.
50+
DEAR HARRIETTE: My daughter has become consumed by social media and seems to measure her worth by the number of likes and comments she receives on her posts. Initially, she just wanted to learn how to use social media to promote and sell her collections, such as bags and shoes, but it’s now affecting her self-esteem. My family and I have noticed that she’s becoming increasingly anxious and withdrawn whenever her posts don’t perform as she expects. While I understand my daughter’s desire to succeed online, I want to help her develop a healthier relationship with social media and encourage her to focus more on real-world connections and accomplishments. I want to offer guidance, but I don’t want to seem dismissive of her goals. How can I help her manage her social media use while fostering a more positive outlook on herself and her work? – Social Media Pressure DEAR SOCIAL MEDIA PRESSURE: I believe that the biggest challenge to positive self-esteem today is social media. People of all ages who engage in an online presence seriously grapple with the amount of attention they receive and what it means to their business, their psyche and their lives. You mentioned that your daughter uses it for her business. Encourage her to share with friends, colleagues and others she meets in person that she has an online store. Balancing the personal with online can help her to connect to actual people.
Joe Biden’s pardon of his son Hunter can be criticized on many levels. The president lied repeatedly to the American people, saying he would never even consider such an action. And he demonstrated that same streak of stubbornness and selfishness that led him to ignore his obvious decline and declare – disastrously for the Democrats – that he would seek a second term.
Peter my husband, said, “He’s on vigil,” as he was watching our cat, Felix.
DEAR HARRIETTE: I really love pets, especially cats, and I always make sure they’re well taken care of by taking them to the nearest vet to keep them healthy and safe. Recently, my neighbor asked me to look after her cat for what she said would be a few days, but it’s now been four weeks, and she still hasn’t returned. While I love animals and have been doing my best to care for the cat, this wasn’t something I agreed to. It’s starting to become a strain on my schedule and finances, and I’m concerned about the added responsibility. I don’t want the cat to suffer due to my neighbor’s lack of responsibility, but I really don’t know how to address this with her without creating conflict. – Unexpected Pet Responsibilities DEAR UNEXPECTED PET RESPONSIBILITIES: This is no time to be passive. Call your neighbor and tell her that you have cared for her cat for as long as you can; it is time to return and take it back. If she says she is unable to take her cat back, tell her you are sorry, but this is her responsibility. Perhaps she should call an animal shelter or place an ad to find a new home for the cat, but your home is not an option.
CLINTON DAILY NEWS EDITORIAL
30 YEARS AGO