A while back my sister left a message on my mom's answering machine, saying "Hi mom, we had a baby girl..." and then she goes on to describe the birth of her daughter and how cute she was, basically leaving an audio record of this wonderful occasion. For some reason I thought it would be a good idea to save this recording.
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posted by anonymous
on May 15, 2013 -
33 answers
After 2 years of marriage my wife (age 33) still doesn't want to have children while I (age 35) desperately want ones. Before marriage we have discussed it and she said that she would like to wait "for about a year" before trying for a baby. I agreed. Now she is saying that she isn't ready yet, and won't be ready for another 2 years. I thought that we have an agreement, but I was mistaken. Is it at all possible that she will change her mind, or postponing children for more years is just a stalling tactic on her behalf?
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posted by anonymous
on May 5, 2013 -
64 answers
You're considering a move to Los Angeles for a job in Irvine. You and your (stay-at-home) wife are both in your early 30s, and have two young (under two years old) children. You were raised in the midwest, and prefer the suburbs. You want to live in an area that has lots of other young families and easy access to eating and shopping and preschools and other things like that. You don't want to spend more than 30 minutes or so commuting. You want to spend about $3,000 per month on rent for a 3+ bedroom single-family-home (or condo, you suppose). What areas of Los Angeles do you focus on?
posted by anonymous
on Apr 15, 2013 -
25 answers
My mother and mother-in-law have had a falling out due to a misunderstanding on my mother-in-law's part. My mother-in-law lives with me and my mother is due to visit in the summer (she lives abroad). Before I collapse with stress, I need some external perspective on this issue. Help!
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posted by anonymous
on Apr 8, 2013 -
15 answers
My mom just found out my dad's been cheating on her. How do I deal with all of this from 3000 miles away?
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posted by anonymous
on Apr 5, 2013 -
27 answers
How can I accept and deal with my estranged family? My father was an incredibly abusive person to his family. My mother couldn't really handle it (she was 17 or 18 at the time) and ended up giving me to my aunt (father's side). For years I had very little contact with my mother's family. I now have three half-siblings, whom I didn't grow up with and have very little in common with. In fact, at age 32, I live in a world that's completely different from theirs.
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posted by anonymous
on Mar 25, 2013 -
11 answers
We want to get married, but need to do it much quicker than expected for visa/insurance reasons. How to handle it (snowflakes within)?
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posted by anonymous
on Mar 13, 2013 -
21 answers
My wife and I have a 3 year old, which for the sake of anonymity we will call John. He is the joy of my life, but biologically speaking, not mine. I am wondering if we should tell him, if so, how, and at what age we should tell him?
Any Mefites who have experience either adopting or being adopted who have helpful input on this, it would be greatly appreciated.
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posted by anonymous
on Mar 1, 2013 -
32 answers
Looking for resources for supporting a partner (and my own mental health) in an ongoing, possibly abusive relationship with a family member.
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posted by anonymous
on Feb 26, 2013 -
8 answers
It appears my Dad is in the process of dying - I'm mostly okay with that, but really struggling with the rest of my family. Could use some words of wisdom.
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posted by anonymous
on Feb 12, 2013 -
21 answers
Please talk to me about your experiences with interfaith wedding ceremonies (specifically, Catholic/non-Catholic.)
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posted by anonymous
on Feb 10, 2013 -
17 answers
I need to set some boundaries with my spouse about my sister's new passion, which is something he finds offensive.
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posted by anonymous
on Feb 6, 2013 -
55 answers
I am of one race/ethnicity; my partner is of another. No kids. How will adopting a child from a third background impact him/her?
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posted by anonymous
on Jan 30, 2013 -
22 answers
My sister (married, one child) and I (married, no kids) want to plan a joint family vacation. We do not want our parents (divorced, both remarried) to come. Our mom is extremely sensitive/dramatic, and we are hoping to avoid a major meltdown from her. Help?
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posted by anonymous
on Jan 26, 2013 -
16 answers
I am a young adult woman living in the home she grew up in, with parents and siblings. My parents are NOT abusive - they have always provided me with a place where I felt safe and cared for. But the way they relate to me now that I've gone to college and come back has not changed since I was several years younger, and I think it's affecting me negatively. I need to figure out what my action plan is for establishing my independence, both materially and emotionally.
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posted by anonymous
on Jan 17, 2013 -
76 answers
This could come across as a stupid question to many people but I'd like to know how I can "feel & think better" about my financial independence from my partner. Sometimes I get a nagging feeling inside that I'd be a happier person if my partner just took care of everything and I didn't have to work so damn hard. I know I should embrace the fact that I have financial independence, am debt-free, good with money, savings and so on and feel good about being able to take care of myself.
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posted by anonymous
on Jan 16, 2013 -
21 answers
My generous, trusting mother was conned out of tens of thousands of dollars (gradually) by a good-for-nothing young cousin over the course of a few years. When my mother ran into financial trouble last year, she sought repayment of these "loans." The cousin insisted that she didn't have to pay back a cent and promptly disappeared. She reappeared last week with a very large check, written directly to my mother's bank, and written by some random guy. I'm worried that the cousin has simply conned somebody else ("please, my home is being foreclosed on, I really need this loan, you can even write it directly to the bank") to cover part of her debt. She isn't talking, and my trusting mother is angry that I'd suggest such a thing. (So a lawyer is out of the question.) Is my mother potentially complicit in fraud by depositing this check?
posted by anonymous
on Jan 11, 2013 -
15 answers
Is it more important to be near family or to follow career developments? Snowflakey existential question that needs review.
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posted by anonymous
on Dec 18, 2012 -
15 answers
How can I get my brother to pluck his unibrow or want to improve his image? He is 25, doesn't maintain his beard/sideburns and has very thick unibrow. He uses a wheelchair and I'm afraid his appearance is giving off the wrong impression.
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posted by anonymous
on Dec 18, 2012 -
34 answers
When should I (or should I) reveal that my partner is applying for for my old job, given that I now work in a new job in the same institution? Or is the whole thing a bad idea? Managers and HR people, your input would be especially appreciated.
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posted by anonymous
on Dec 17, 2012 -
5 answers
My mother and father were married over 50 years. Dad passed early this year (Feb) and now is the 1st anniversary is upon us. I have been helping mom out quite a bit since then, but could use some pointers about what to do or look out for over the next couple of months. A little more inside.
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posted by anonymous
on Dec 16, 2012 -
6 answers
Please hope me. Christmas is important to my mother, but it over the last few years it has turned into something that she can’t stand. It has gotten to the point that she doesn’t even want to have the Traditional Family Christmas at their house anymore. She loves Christmas and this is breaking her heart. Our family needs the help of Metafilter. This is anonymous because there’s enough drama already. Christmassy flurries within.
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posted by anonymous
on Nov 26, 2012 -
41 answers
I wasn't able to give my niece a 13th birthday present a month and a half ago. What are some good ways I can correct this?
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posted by anonymous
on Nov 22, 2012 -
10 answers
When you set boundaries and upset the other party-- does it ever get better? How do you tactfully set boundaries?
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posted by anonymous
on Nov 20, 2012 -
18 answers
Tricky family situation, I don't know how to act or move forward and need some objective advice.
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posted by anonymous
on Nov 15, 2012 -
20 answers
My semi-troubled sibling finally pulled the "I want to live with dad!" card. What should my mom do? How can I support her?
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posted by anonymous
on Nov 1, 2012 -
16 answers
My mother and I are not talking. I am thinking about skipping Thanksgiving. How do I do this without causing even more turmoil?
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posted by anonymous
on Oct 25, 2012 -
32 answers
My sister is separating and likely divorcing her husband after 15 months of marriage, and my family strongly disagrees with her decision. Do we tell her this?
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posted by anonymous
on Oct 21, 2012 -
65 answers
I've just been diagnosed with ADHD, and have started an initial stimulant-based management plan. I'm in my mid-forties, and work in a very traditional industry and come from a not-very-accepting Old World culture. How open do I need to be with colleagues and friends that I'm doing this?
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posted by anonymous
on Oct 13, 2012 -
11 answers
Mom is depressed. She has always been depressed. Is there anything I can do to help? If not, how do I cope?
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posted by anonymous
on Oct 11, 2012 -
9 answers
Is there anything I can do to help my brother who seems to be in arrested development? He seems lost in life (mid 30's still lives with my parents, no real job), and while he has a lot of strengths, can be is a difficult personality to be around..it breaks my heart to see his life slipping away, and I wish I could help him.
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posted by anonymous
on Oct 4, 2012 -
15 answers
What is the best way to get through/past/over the rush of emotions that come up when I think about abuse that happened to me in my adolescence? Also, how to deal with ambivalent feelings towards a relative who treated you badly in the past? Are there any books about this, fiction or non-fiction?
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posted by anonymous
on Oct 2, 2012 -
9 answers
My 'rents want to support me. I don't really feel like I need their support anymore. Am I being silly by not considering their offer of money?
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posted by anonymous
on Sep 20, 2012 -
39 answers
My husband will be having major surgery next week. As far as I can tell, I was born without normal sick-person-wrangling instincts. What helpful or comforting things should I be planning to do to support him through recovery, at the hospital and afterwards at home?
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posted by anonymous
on Sep 16, 2012 -
21 answers
My mother is running for a fairly high office. I generally agree with her beliefs and standings, but not always those of her party. I want to support her in her bid for election but I have a hard time waving a flag for those who I don't agree with.
How do I support my mom who I agree with while dealing with those who I have to shake hands with and smile at while at parades, fairs, and other functions (I mean people who are working for her campaign either explicitly or not, not those who are there to heckle)?
This is in the US in the midwest, but it really shouldn't matter what state we are in or what party we might each be affiliated with - I just want to know how to best help my mom.
posted by anonymous
on Sep 12, 2012 -
12 answers
A formerly close friend (with some family ties) is building a career as a seminar leader by misrepresenting himself as a business success and giving paid seminars supported by a local government agency. Should I care?
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posted by anonymous
on Sep 6, 2012 -
26 answers
I'm pretty sure it's not a mid-life crisis. Help me rationalize/forget about my burning desire to quit my job and change my life.
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posted by anonymous
on Sep 3, 2012 -
31 answers
My brother is being admitted to an inpatient facility. How can I support him, and can you calm me down about the long-term picture?
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posted by anonymous
on Aug 30, 2012 -
22 answers
Moving to a better school zone. Should I do it? Tough decisions concerning moving, staying put, and financial future.
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posted by anonymous
on Aug 25, 2012 -
19 answers
I need help in guiding my brother-in-law, who may be developmentally challenged, with some important life decisions. I am pretty much his only family contact, am at a bit of a loss, and not quite sure where to start; (slightly lengthy) details inside.
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posted by anonymous
on Aug 23, 2012 -
12 answers
My mother hasn't received child support payments from my father for over a year; I think she's become incredibly depressed about her treatment by the legal system, and has come to believe that no matter what she does, she'll have to bear the full financial burden of raising my sister. Help me inspire her with a rational reason why she should keep trying.
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posted by anonymous
on Aug 11, 2012 -
13 answers
