How to maintain relationships with difficult family members
My little brother will be 23 this year he’s had issues with alcohol, drugs, and just general defiance since he was 12 or 13. He has said horrible things to me, to my husband, and to my mother on different occasions. He has shown up to holidays drunk and late and a bunch of other stuff too (I try not to keep track). No matter what he does he’s still my brother and I love him and I decided I’m not going to cut him out of my life. I’m going to give you my advice for dealing with a difficult sibling or family member you want to keep in your life.
Coping with a partner’s (undiagnosed) depression
My partner of two years has been struggling with patterns of feeling moody, withdrawn, and overwhelmed. He’s recently admitted that he thinks he might be depressed, but he is still reluctant to see a doctor or therapist to figure things out. I want to be there for my partner, whom I care about deeply, but at what point do I need to step back and look out for my own emotional well-being? I’d appreciate any advice from those who have helped a friend partner with depression or had to encourage someone to seek therapy.
Working from home: separating personal time from work time
When my husband and I get home from our day jobs, we don’t waste much time before jumping into our second jobs of operating an at-home business. Now that our careers take place both in and out of the home, the line between work and personal time has started to blur. Our house now doubles as a work place, and I often find that I can’t truly relax when I’m there because I feel guilty when I’m not working on business operations.
What steps can I take to separate personal time from work time when at home?
The Velvet Rope: Why every hostess needs boundaries
Over the years, my “velvet rope” has had hugely positive results, for my housemates and my friends. It cuts down on drama and keeps my parties fun, happy, and safe.
My neighbors had a fight and I called 911 — was that the right move?
My apartment neighbors had a fight, complete with thuds, pained screams, and the woman screaming, “Let go of me! Stop!”
I called 911 since it seemed to be more than a lovers quarrel. But since telling friends, some say I overstepped my boundaries and should have minded my own business. What would you do in this situation?