All articles tagged with #family and relationships
A 23-year-old woman moved abroad and faced constant weight-shaming from her MIL and SIL. After gaining weight, she lost 33 pounds to prove them wrong, reaching 132 pounds at 5'4"; her husband supports her though her in-laws later say she’s too skinny, leaving her to wonder if she acted petty while prioritizing her health.
A man caring for his ailing girlfriend in Scotland pushes for a same-day doctor appointment as her symptoms worsen, but she refuses to go and labels him mean, underscoring a clash between medical concern and personal comfort.
A 30-year-old sister wrestles with the prospect of becoming her 34-year-old brother’s legal guardian after their father’s death. She loves him but doubts her ability to make life-changing decisions for him, aware that refusing could make him a ward of the state, while acknowledging his need for steady professional care.
A Pew Research Center study of 2,242 U.S. working parents (March 2–15, 2026) finds the boundary between work and family is often blurred: about 70% take on parenting tasks at work and 59% handle work tasks when with their children; 54% say balancing work and family is difficult, with moms bearing a heavier load than dads (e.g., 62% vs 47% reporting difficulty). In two-parent, full-time-working households, about half say the mom does more parenting tasks (52%). Part-time workers and lower-income parents face fewer workplace benefits—such as health insurance and paid time off—and higher worries about lost pay if a child is sick; low-income families are more reliant on family or friends for childcare. Most full-time parents want telework flexibility, but only about a quarter have substantial flexibility. Across income levels, childcare costs remain the biggest hurdle, underscoring persistent work-family tensions even as remote-work options expand.
A 22-year-old man from Mumbai discovered his mother's affair through her Instagram messages, revealing intimate exchanges with another man. Torn between confronting his mother or informing his father, he sought advice on Reddit, where users suggested gathering evidence before taking action. The situation has left him feeling betrayed and uncertain about the future of his family.
A surrogate turned to Reddit for advice after refusing her brother-in-law and his wife's demands for an unmedicated water birth, sparking a discussion on the importance of boundaries and trust in surrogacy arrangements. The online community supported her decision to enforce her own comfort and health needs, highlighting the complexities and pressures involved in surrogacy.
A Redditor shared that their wealthy mother-in-law, who they thought was generously covering expenses during their newborn's hospital stay, later sent a Venmo request for reimbursement. This caused significant distress, especially as the family faced financial and medical challenges.
Nicole Brown's sisters have spoken out for the first time following the death of OJ Simpson, who passed away from prostate cancer at 76. They expressed mixed emotions, describing Simpson as someone who wreaked havoc on their family. Simpson was acquitted of Brown and Ronald Goldman's murders in 1995 but was later found liable in a civil trial. The sisters reflected on Brown's troubled relationship with Simpson and her brief period of happiness after their divorce.
A reader seeks advice on how to approach their difficult mother about potential memory loss or dementia, as her behavior has noticeably worsened in the last three months. The columnist suggests having a gentle, non-judgmental conversation in person, possibly with the presence of a supportive family member, and recommends involving the mother's primary care physician if necessary. Recognizing the potential for initial resistance, the columnist advises patience and understanding while addressing the sensitive topic.
The writer is concerned about the behavior of drunk grandmothers in their family and among friends, who become unkind to the grandchildren when intoxicated. They feel distressed hearing complaints about the inability to set boundaries and protect the kids from the drunk grandmothers. The advice suggests addressing the issue within the family, being a buffer between the grandmothers and the kids, and considering avoiding gatherings to protect future children from the behavior.
A parent seeks advice after her teenagers were embarrassed when she politely asked a server to replace a dirty glass at a restaurant. The columnist emphasizes the importance of addressing issues at businesses and the need for self-advocacy, while also cautioning against entitlement. The parent is encouraged to continue modeling polite assertiveness for her kids.
A widower's daughter excluded his disabled partner from a family gathering, possibly due to anti-vaxxer sentiments or discomfort with disabilities. Amy advises the widower to discuss the situation with his daughter and consider staying home with his partner to maintain peace. In another letter, a man inherits $500,000 and seeks advice on how to handle it, with Amy cautioning him to consult a financial adviser. Additionally, proud parents share their college payment rules, which led to their children successfully completing their degrees.
A woman seeks advice on maintaining a close relationship with her ex-sister-in-law despite her brother's new wife's disapproval, a grandmother wonders if she's enabling her daughter or being supportive after her daughter's unexpected pregnancy, a woman is concerned about her boyfriend's loyalty to his emotionally immature mother, and a mother seeks advice on fostering a relationship between her 8-year-old son, who is not baby-friendly, and her new baby on the way.
A concerned mother seeks advice on helping her alcoholic daughter, who refuses to seek treatment. Amy suggests maintaining a loving relationship, setting boundaries, and offering support without enabling the addiction. In another letter, a reader defends the practice of requiring college students to achieve at least a B grade, emphasizing the importance of responsibility and exploring alternative paths if college isn't the right fit.
A husband wants to pay his adult daughters to lose weight, but his wife disagrees, believing it's a mistake to bring up their weight. Amy Dickinson suggests discussing obesity as a disease rather than a character flaw and approaching the topic in a loving, supportive, and non-judgmental way. She emphasizes the challenges and stigma surrounding obesity and encourages open communication.