Ask Natalie

by Natalie Bencivenga

latestApril 02, 2025

Ask Natalie: Trying to use the right pronouns to support your child but family members making it difficult? Sister was diagnosed with chronic health issues, and now her friends are abandoning her. How can you help?

DEAR NATALIE: I have a lovely 28-year-old child who is transgender. My child is open about their transition to those who are likely to be supportive, but they’ve asked me to not say anything to those... more

March 26, 2025

Ask Natalie: Narcissistic ex-fiancé still controlling your life in odd ways? Best friend dating a grifter…can you tell her the truth?

DEAR NATALIE: This is kind of a strange situation and I realize that it sounds incredibly fussy, but it is bothering me nonetheless. About eight years ago, my... more

March 19, 2025

Ask Natalie: Showed a friend proof that her partner was cheating and she got mad at you? Friend going through a breakup and becoming insufferable. What do you do?

DEAR NATALIE: My best friend’s boyfriend is cheating on her. My friend and I saw him with another woman and we took a photo of them kissing without them knowing. We shared it with our friend in a grou... more

March 12, 2025

Ask Natalie: Sister showed up late for your wedding and missed the ceremony…do you confront her? Husband won’t go to the doctor…what should you do?

DEAR NATALIE: I got married over the weekend in a small, intimate ceremony in my hometown. It was a wonderful time with 50 of our closest friends and family members attending. This was the second marr... more

March 05, 2025

Ask Natalie: You were the “other woman” and now his wife found out? Now what? Friend’s ex is moving on and it doesn’t sit well with you…how angry should you be?

DEAR NATALIE: I was the “other woman” for a long time. I was dating a married father of two who told me he was going to leave his wife – which never happened. Regrettably, I stayed with him longer tha... more

February 26, 2025

Ask Natalie: Girlfriend has a terrible credit score…should you break up with her? Husband more controlling after Trump’s re-election…should you leave him?

DEAR NATALIE: I love my girlfriend but she has horrible money management skills. We want to get married, but I was trying to help her assess her credit card debt and had no idea she was well over fift... more

February 19, 2025

Ask Natalie: Husband’s business in trouble and he hid it from you? Sister-in-law mistreats your niece, what can you do?

DEAR NATALIE: My husband canceled plans for Valentine’s Day this past weekend. We were supposed to go to a bed and breakfast out of town and spend a few nights together. We live incredibly busy lives ... more

February 12, 2025

Ask Natalie: Wife overwhelmed by household chores and you want to “help?” Brother’s drinking impacting your relationship?

DEAR NATALIE: My wife is completely overworked. I keep telling her that we should hire a cleaning service or a meal delivery service, but she “insists” on doing everything. She works full time in acad... more

February 05, 2025

Ask Natalie: Daughter not speaking to you over college? Sister’s death causing a rift in the family?

DEAR NATALIE: My daughter and my husband are not speaking right now. She was offered a full ride at a prestigious university and has instead decided to “pursue music.” She wants to move out of state a... more

January 29, 2025

Ask Natalie: MAGA brother having a major meltdown? Job opportunity of a lifetime…but you’d have to leave your boyfriend?

DEAR NATALIE: I am having a very hard time dealing with my brother right now because he voted for Trump and his family accesses some of the federal programs that are on “pause” because of the federal ... more

January 22, 2025

Ask Natalie: Dad about to remarry a woman younger than you and your brother? Aging parents won’t leave their home…is there any way to convince them?

DEAR NATALIE: My dad is about to remarry. Our mom died about three years ago and he met someone last spring and got engaged pretty quickly. She’s younger than me and my brother, which is weird to us. ... more

January 15, 2025

Ask Natalie: Fiancé died and kids don’t want you at memorial? Pregnant and your married boyfriend wants you to terminate it?

DEAR NATALIE: My fiancé recently died in a car accident and it has been incredibly difficult for the entire family. In my fiancé’s will, he left a substantial portion of his estate to me and a life in... more

January 08, 2025

Ask Natalie: Boyfriend of five years dumped you on New Year’s Eve and he’s already dating someone new? You and your wife both want to carry your baby…so who should?

DEAR NATALIE: I was totally blindsided by my boyfriend breaking up with me over the holidays. We have been together for five years and have been looking at homes. I thought he was going to be proposin... more

January 01, 2025

Ask Natalie: Mother, wife and hating your life?

DEAR NATALIE: As we close out this year and start 2025, I have been reflecting on a lot of my goals and have come to the conclusion that I am extremely unhappy in my life. I have four kids and a husba... more

December 25, 2024

Ask Natalie: Terminally ill and afraid to fall in love? Unhappy with your son’s choice of partner…what do you do?

DEAR NATALIE: My life has taken an interesting turn in the past week. I suffer from a chronic health condition and it is getting progressively worse. I was considering hospice for a while, but I’ve i... more

Ask Natalie

Next up: More trusted advice from...