Dear Hailey,

My husband has a friend who is very sheltered and comes off as judgmental at times. My parents divorced when I was younger and did not grow up rich but was not poor either. This friend often comments on where I grew up in a negative way. He recently sent my husband an article about the negative impact of divorce upon children and upon children when they grow into adults. There were many impacts listed (most negative), one which stood out to me being how divorce can have a negative impact upon the child’s own marriage when they … Read more

Dear Hailey,

I was with my ex-boyfriend for a year and a month. He struggled with alcoholism for the majority of that time but we still had a good relationship. He broke up with me in January. Right out of rehab to focus on sobriety. Since then I have struggled with the breakup. Around Easter he relapsed and I took him in my home to help him. He’s been in a sober home since.

He now has relapsed again. And his mom has told me he is in a new relationship. I am struggling and I need some advice on … Read more

Dear Hailey,

Hello – my husband has had a friend since elementary school (we’re in our 40’s now) and we have been friends with him and his wife as two married couples for years. Over these years, the wife (we’ll call her C) has been extremely rude to me, cutting me off when trying to speak, talking down to me, talking trash about my husband and children. 

I had enough and told my husband I didn’t want to hang out with them anymore. This has caused a major rift in my marriage. My husband misses the “good ‘ole days” where … Read more

Dear Hailey,

My identical twin is engaged and I don’t want her to marry this guy. They got engaged last year and were planning on getting married this year but have postponed due to COVID-19. I was in a state of dread but resignation (sort of) about the whole thing, but with the postponement, I’ve had this feeling that it could be giving me time to prevent what I think is a mistake.

My twin and I have always been close. We lived together after college, but then I went away to grad school (about 4 years ago) and after … Read more

Dear Hailey,

My boyfriend has body dysmorphia and will often message me negative comments about his body. I want to make him feel heard but also support him, and not play into what his dysmorphia may be saying. When he messages me things like, “my man boobs are huge” or “I look like a fat monster,” I just don’t know what to say.

In the past when I denied it (he doesn’t have man boobs, for example), he got mad at me and said I was lying. Yes, he is a little chubby, and he’s also really cute and funny … Read more

Dear Hailey,

I had a falling out with someone I considered a close friend and I have had so much trouble coping with it. Three months ago, I asked my friend for a favor. She declined & then proceeded to tell me that I was not someone she considered a friend. She was upset I had not followed up with her earlier in the year regarding a trip she was planning with me, her roommate, & some other mutual friends. I apologized & took ownership for not following through with her trip plans. I felt terrible knowing that she was … Read more

Dear Hailey,

I want to ask my dad to be my best man. He’s the greatest man I’ve ever known and we are so close. However, my best friend is expecting me to ask him. How do I tell me best friend, without hurting him, that I want my dad? I’ve asked all of my groomsmen (4- dad will be 5) and now very keep asking who the best man is. The wedding is in 5 months so I need to decide soon.

Stressing Groom

Dear Stressing Groom,

This is your day to celebrate, to officially join your life to … Read more

Dear Hailey,

My boyfriend is great, but has recently been making random racist remarks. I am completely against that and it is pretty out of character for him. It always makes me feel uncomfortable and I try to explain to him how that is wrong and why he needs to stop and he refuses. I love him, and have for so long, I don’t want to just leave him, but just me talking to him about things like that isn’t actually getting through to him. What do I do?

Sincerely,

Uncomfortable

Dear Uncomfortable,

You’ve done the right thing by approaching … Read more

Dear Hailey,

My husband and I are unable to have kids, due to medical issues that I have. We have looked into infant adoption, adopting from foster care, and even tried fertility treatments (I knew they wouldn’t work due to the medical issues, but my husband is so desperate for his own child that I agreed to try). I want to move forward into looking at adoption, but every time I start, my husband gets distant and doesn’t really want to be involved in the process.

I know he wants kids, but I don’t know what to do at this … Read more

Dear Hailey,

I’ve been in an abusive relationship for 15-years. It’s been one filled with gas lighting, manipulation, and verbal abuse. I only saw it clearly recently when after my ex took my daughter to the place he’s working so he could “be a dad” and then told me I was being a bad mom if I didn’t come visit.

This is a man who could never let go of me, he clearly doesn’t see me as a human being who has needs, thoughts, and wants. I’m a tool to him, I’m usable. Because when we’re together he’s controlling, when … Read more