It's been a few months after my fiance proposed and he made plans to move in with me and my 15-year-old son this summer. As predicted, my son began acting up, basically in the form of talking back and being a little rude to me in front of the fiance, who comes here every weekend. It's important to note my son does not act this way when it's the 2 of us and I completely understand what's going on and we're talking to someone. [more inside]
posted by kinetic on Apr 27, 2013 - 26 answers

I wrote this question about my Aunt. As it turned out, I just wrote back a very polite reply -- "thank you for your good wishes" ...I was polite. I felt good about this. Thank you for all the helpful answers. My Aunt wrote me again -- long story inside. Thank you for taking the time to read it. [more inside]
posted by Lescha on Mar 26, 2013 - 26 answers

Background: When my father learned I was gay, he disowned me. Think radical old-world "you are dead to me." This was many years ago -- well over a decade. He was very serious and cut off all contact with me. Made it clear I was out of the will and all of that -- very dramatic. I did try to initiate contact a few times many years ago, but was rebuffed. This is not what my question is about though -- I am at peace with this. I know I am a worthwhile and lovable person and I have many people in my life who care about me/love me. I had therapy when all this happened and I really feel I dealt with the emotions then. I know I am lovable and valuable person. Also, my relatives on my late Mother's side -- who are also quite old-world -- surprised me with their acceptance... [more inside]
posted by Lescha on Feb 22, 2013 - 14 answers

How to convince someone who may be schizophrenic to seek help? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Dec 24, 2012 - 9 answers

My mother was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer in May this year. We've just been told she now has 6 months to live. Help me with what to expect. [more inside]
posted by sunshine arakhan on Dec 10, 2012 - 22 answers

My wife has stomach flu. What can I do for her? [more inside]
posted by alshain on Nov 18, 2012 - 32 answers

Relative robbed our grandma who has Alzheimer's... took $10,000 worth of gold belonging to me. Not the first time. What to do? [more inside]
posted by kettleoffish on Aug 15, 2012 - 21 answers

I am looking to transplant to Los Angeles to take care of my mother who recently got very sick. I need to find an apartment for the two of us, but I have one constraint and one hope: 1) money problems are going to be a very big deal, so keeping rent cheap is a must, and it needs to be wheelchair-friendly. 2) I would like to be in some kind of artsy, young neighborhood, just so I can stay sane and keep this up for as long as possible. My mother is extremely abusive, and I would like to try to live an actual life as much as possible. I am still young, and a fun neighborhood would change the picture significantly. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jul 23, 2012 - 20 answers

How do I best manage a visit to my elderly/dying grandparents with my young children? [more inside]
posted by Lulu's Pink Converse on Jun 13, 2012 - 12 answers

I'm worried that my little sisters may be in an abusive situation, but don't know what's really going on or where I should go from here. [more inside]
posted by whalebreath on Apr 26, 2012 - 18 answers

[family support question] my partner's mom is sick. multiple autoimmune conditions, potentially cancer now. how can i best support my partner (on multiple levels)? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Mar 27, 2012 - 6 answers

I just quit my (bad) job and have no new job to go to. I know I need to be proactively seeking work but I'm suffering from confidence problems and bad personal circumstances and finding it difficult. Any tips or similar stories? [more inside]
posted by Franny26 on Dec 8, 2010 - 14 answers

My uncle has cancer...allegedly, and our family members are rallying together to help him. How can I give without feeling like a sucker? [more inside]
posted by stedman15 on Jul 19, 2010 - 11 answers

Parent with mental issues (in Maryland) at end of her rope... how do I help without enabling or having to provide long-term financial support? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jan 4, 2010 - 8 answers

What's a "mass" doing on my dad's brain? Does anyone have any idea how I start researching this or what I can expect to see from all this? [more inside]
posted by bash on Feb 23, 2008 - 12 answers

What can I do to help my mom in her new role as the full-time caretaker for my ailing step-dad? [more inside]
posted by greta simone on Feb 17, 2008 - 11 answers

How do I cheer up my SO? He just found out that his dad is in hospital following a hemmorhage. [more inside]
posted by barrakuda on Oct 6, 2006 - 10 answers

A family member of mine may be seriously ill and I can't stop thinking about it. How do I deal with everyday life in the meantime? [more inside]
posted by huskerdont on Aug 31, 2005 - 10 answers