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I have a longtime friend, Amber, who I have posted about here numerous times over the years. Things came to a head when I had my CT scan today, a followup one I'm really nervous, and I asked her for moral support, and didn't get it. [more inside]
posted by dubious_dude at 1:00 PM - 24 answers

My close friend struggles with her drinking. I'm flying in to visit and stay with her for a week. I'm uncomfortable when she drinks in front of me for various reasons, but I don't know if bringing it up and/or gently suggesting she cut down a little while I'm there is unfair, controlling or counterproductive. Ideas on how to approach this? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 5:08 AM - 15 answers

My brother summoned up a family convo because he is unhappy about a donation in cash my Mom gave me. I don't know how to approach it. [more inside]
posted by TheGoodBlood at 4:45 PM - 30 answers

I'm looking for a term to describe how someone can talk about someone else's beliefs/ideology in a way that isn't outwardly provocative but seems to intend to quickly other, negate, and win support. It has an immature and antagonistic flavor. So what's a term for a style of speaking on a topic that promotes superiority of *this* perspective and encourages others to quickly choose *this* side? Details inside. [more inside]
posted by MCMLXXXIV at 1:30 PM - 21 answers

....So after ten years off the market, I'm starting to think about getting back in the dating scene again, mostly just for the fun and frolic. What is the best approach for me these days? (Given the complications inside.) [more inside]
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 4:41 PM - 15 answers

I’d love practical tips for noticing this when it happens more often and ways to reframe my responses to be more kind and open to what the other person is saying. [more inside]
posted by chives at 7:24 PM - 26 answers

My college ex-boyfriend continues to reach out every few years since we broke up. It's going on 15 years now. I don't want any contact with him and have remained silent. I want him to leave me alone. I am looking for suggestions to help stop the communication. [more inside]
posted by fies at 5:23 PM - 30 answers

Recently diagnosed ADHD, most likely otherwise neurodiverse person in LA is seeking support groups (in person or online) where he can get more understanding of what he is dealing with. He is especially looking for help with how he can best represent himself when job hunting, but any tips on how he can get the most out of life while being neurospicy would be helpful. (He is a developer, if that is helpful.) Any recommendations?
posted by rednikki at 5:05 PM - 1 answers

A "friend" (not sure if we're friends anymore) has been less than supportive towards me. He claims it is because of a medical issue, but that's not making sense to me. [more inside]
posted by 8LeggedFriend at 7:05 AM - 53 answers

For the first time, I see clearly that the common denominator of almost all of my problems in life has been that I don't trust my own perception. I know what I think and feel and want, but convince myself that I'm hormonal, or have unrealistic expectations, or am imprudent, etc., ad infinitum. Needless to say, I'm a woman. This feels like a knot hole in the fence through which I can see a whole other version of my life. What can you recommend on this topic? Novels, self-help, movies, your own experiences, whatever. I'm hungry for more perspective.
posted by HotToddy at 8:35 AM - 11 answers

Does anyone have advice or resources (such as books, articles or really anything that isn’t a google search) that helps in dealing with people who are jealous or envious of me? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 12:23 PM - 22 answers

My wife and I have a fair amount of disagreements on how we parent our toddler (sleep, discipline etc). I'd like some recommendations on books/workbooks/websites/youtubes/social media accounts, that would help us navigate this better? I'm not sure the write keywords to search for.
posted by sandmanwv at 8:15 AM - 6 answers

I need books that teach me how to gracefully handle stupid workplace politics and people who constantly try to undermine and sabotage you. Something like Succession the show or Art of War, but a book for the modern day aspiring corporate climber. [more inside]
posted by antihistameme at 9:07 PM - 12 answers

Every year, I play an April Fool's Day prank on my kid. I need a new one for this year. It needs to be something a clever/goofy 15 year-old would find funny, but it can't be mean-spirited. He's not overly gullible, either, so tricking him ususally doesn't work. At least not on April 1st. [more inside]
posted by DirtyOldTown at 1:37 PM - 41 answers

Yesterday, I had an awkward interaction that I am realizing that happens more often than I want. How do I manage this? [more inside]
posted by treetop89 at 7:16 AM - 13 answers

The new song I'm writing is about loss of innocence. What loss can you tell me about? [more inside]
posted by falsedmitri at 7:02 AM - 12 answers

My kindergartener is suddenly getting in trouble for not listening, getting distracted with his friends, and disrupting the class. I can tell it feels very difficult and shameful for him, he feels like he is a bad kid, and I want to help him feel empowered to do better (of course, I'm already working with the teachers). I think he would respond well to stories about kids who get in trouble and then turn things around. Example I already have and love - Today was a Terrible Day. Any book / movie / tv show recommendations that are elementary-school appropriate? (more mature than kindergarten OK)
posted by beyond_pink at 12:05 PM - 20 answers

I started a new teaching position in a new district 4 weeks ago, and am already waking up each morning dreading going to work. Some parts are great, but most are not and I'm experiencing severe daily stress. Would it be a betrayal to leave? [more inside]
posted by Jangatroo at 9:01 AM - 13 answers

I would love to find the equivalents of the "ask a manager" column or videos or podcasts geared toward running all-volunteer community service and social organizations. I know that some of the management and organizing strategies from workplaces transfer, but in an all-volunteer space I also feel like different strategies may be useful. Any suggestions would be most appreciated!
posted by mortaddams at 11:47 AM - 2 answers

How do I balance my seeking out of new quality partners or friends with my comfort seeking of being alone most of my free time [more inside]
posted by mxjudyliza at 6:04 PM - 7 answers