Dear Hailey,

I’ve had to live with my parents into the current year (I’m 22) due to a health condition that makes it difficult to find a job. Also living with my parents are my younger sister Oat (19), my older sister Barley (28), and Barley’s 2 kids, Sorghum (4) and Wheat (2). It was very happy for me at first to have both my sisters and my beloved niece and nephew living in a house with me. We’re a very close family and I used to think we got along really well.

However, more and more it’s become apparent … Read more

Dear Hailey,

My friend is wanting to divorce her husband, for various and valid reasons,and they have a child together. She has moved out from their home together and is living with her parents again, which she is struggling with. She is having a hard time moving on from the idea of an intact family, but continues to spend a lot of time at her former home with the ex and their child (who is also having trouble accepting the change).

This feels a lot like playing house to me, and it seems like it’s confusing for everyone because she … Read more

Dear Hailey,

This is my first time writing into an advice column. My sister and mother are currently fighting and it’s getting vicious, they almost punched each other out tonight. My sister treats my mother with zero respect and almost ignores her daughter who is in the care of my mother, my mother is sick of it and has said very hurtful things to my sister like how the car that my grandmother left for her wasn’t hers and that the only reason the registration is in her name is because it’s cheaper.

My mother is also wanting her to … Read more

Dear Hailey,

How should I go about dealing with not liking my boyfriend’s friends?

Some background context: my boyfriend and I met and started dating two months ago in one of our college classes which we share together. At first, everything was great, sparks flew, I was quite swept off my feet by this guy (and I’m well aware this is how the honeymoon phase always starts). However, as time goes by and you start to get closer to someone, you start to notice certain things you don’t like about the person.

We talk about a lot of things and … Read more

Dear Hailey,

My spouse is from a small tight knit family with no extended family. We were recently invited to go with them from CA to AZ for a visit to the Grand Canyon. We agreed to go, took the time off work and got everything in order to make it happen. One day before the event, her family decided it would be a good idea to get an RV instead of staying in the hotel we had planned. What should I do?

Closed in

Dear Closed in,

I gather from your letter that you aren’t on board with the … Read more