‘Toxic Friends & Families’
Jack And Jill
I have been best friends with Penny since high school. A few years later I became good friends with Jack. A year after this Penny and Jack began dating. I moved across the country and maintained both friendships through phone calls. However when I returned home, things changed.
Mother Or Madam
Each year my mother-in-law has her sons give her a birthday party at one of the sons’ homes. This year she has invited all her sons’ ex-girlfriends. All three of us daughters-in-law are upset. What should we do? She is the kind of woman who plays mean and nasty games with us just to get her own way. — Anneka
Wheelman
My best friend told me she was going to hang out with her boss’s son. She asked me to cover for her with her boyfriend. If her boyfriend called, I was to say she’s with me but in the shower or something like that. I didn’t have a problem because I’d covered for her in the past.
Willow In The Wind
Two years ago I met the love of my life. He is sweet as can be. We love each other’s families, share secrets, and laugh until our stomachs hurt. We have an amazing sexual, emotional, and spiritual connection. I feel as if I’m looking into my own eyes when I look into his. I care for him like I would my child.
Soap Box
My mother is quite the religious evangelist and political zealot, and it’s getting in the way of our relationship. She insists on discussing her views every time we speak, and she assaults me with unsolicited information by way of letters and one-sided telephone rants.
Bad Blood
Recently my father passed away. My problem is he never filed a will through the court, but he did have a holographic will, which is an unwitnessed, handwritten will. That will popped out of nowhere.
Breaking With Tradition
I have a problem with my husband’s grandmother. From the beginning, I welcomed and accepted his grandmother openly. I did not question her motives and accepted her for who she is.
No Shortcut
My daughter is the single mother of two children. I know this sounds harsh, but it has gotten to the point where her father and I are estranged from her. Basically we want a “divorce” from her and would like visitation with our grandchildren. Is this possible? — Betty
Out Of The Blue
I desperately need help ending a friendship I know I must end. For the past two years I have given advice to a friend with problems. My friend would call daily to ask for direction on handling situations she seemed unable to deal with. In my willingness to help, I gave her the best information I could based on my experience.
Unwelcome Advice
I have a single friend and coworker whose recent actions have left my head spinning. I wonder what in the world she is thinking. I want her to reconsider her actions, but first I want your opinion on whether I am being too critical.
A Story Without End
I have been dating a man named Cal for the past six months. We are very close and treat each other extremely well. We talk frequently about a long-term future. I couldn’t ask for things to be better.
One For Sherlock Holmes
I was friends with Sally for nearly 10 years. She was my best friend, and I assure you it was a purely platonic relationship. When I married, Sally and my wife became best friends. Sometimes they did things together, sometimes all three of us did things together.