A Brave Old World

Dear Short Answers: What’s the deal with baby showers? Until this summer I never heard of them. Do I have to go? Janey Dear Janey: It seems to be a millennial thing — like big weddings and social media. Maybe they feel the need to connect after all that texting.  No, you don’t have to [...]

Uncertain Future

Dear Short Answers: As my parents have gotten older (they are both in their late 70s), they have gotten more and more philanthropic and seem to give money away to just about any charity that asks. Since their money is MY inheritance, shouldn’t I be consulted?  They always promised that when they go, I will [...]

Get Over It

Dear Short Answers: Last month my wife and I had planned to go on a cruise. At the last minute, our dog got very sick and needed to spend a few days at the vet.  We had no idea when our dog would be returning home and we didn’t want to leave him at the [...]

Easier Said than Done

Dear Short Answers: I have my daughter under lock and key — no dating, drugs or alcohol.  But she will be 18 this month. Now what? Dad Dear Dad: Lock and Key is not necessarily what we recommend for teaching teens about responsible choice-making. That said, tell her you are proud of her and that [...]

A Very Good Thing

Dear Short Answers: Why did Mahatma Gandhi want to teach children handicrafts? Joe P Dear Joe: Same reason we like to teach kids crafts.  It develops manual dexterity, a sense of pride when the task is completed, the possibility of sale if they do them well, a prideful connection with their own traditions — and [...]

Equality Is a Fine Concept

Dear Short Answers: I have three sons of adult age.  Two of them have successful business careers but my youngest son is trying to be a professional musician and has had a difficult time making a living.  Consequently, I have given my youngest child a lot more financial help than the other two.  Apparently, my [...]

Two on Their Own Road

Dear Short Answers: My sister and her beloved are getting married and they are driving me crazy. The don’t begin to know any basic life skills. None! What should I do? Worried Sister Dear Sister: There is no “do” in this for you. Your sister and her beloved will develop the road map and the [...]

Department of “Oh Pleeze…”

Dear Short Answers: I have an older brother who has lied about his age for decades.  Fortunately, he looks younger than he actually is so nobody is suspicious. Normally, his lies wouldn’t concern me but I recently went to visit him in the town where he now lives and he introduced me to all his [...]

Love Him or Leave Him

Dear Short Answers: My husband (72) seems to be chronically depressed or have a mood disorder.  In the last 12 years, 4 different doctors have prescribed antidepressants which he refuses to take.  He sleeps most of the day, bathes about every 2 weeks, has no friends and his adult children from out-of-state have never visited [...]

Happy Mother’s Day

Dear Short Answers: My girl friend and I have been living together for about a year.  It used to be my apartment but we now share the rent.  My mom came to visit me for 5 days last month.  We do have a second bedroom so there was enough room even though it gets pretty [...]

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