Archives

DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: When I was a kid in the 60s, I remember my mother drilled into us that no gift should go unacknowledged, even if it meant calling Great-aunt Carol, who was blind and nearly to... more

DEAR READERS AND LETTER WRITERS: This holiday season has been unlike any most of us have ever known. Traditions have had to be abandoned or creatively revised. Much-anticipated visits have been cancel... more

DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: I know it seems to be pretty standard these days for everyone to blab about their sex lives, especially younger people. But I am just not at all comfortable having my daughter... more

DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: I was told by a mutual friend that a good friend of mine has gotten back together with the boyfriend who cheated on her at least twice, that she knows of, during the last time... more

DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: While I was putting my husband’s socks away in his dresser, I found a jewelry box inside a little gift bag. Even though this is our first married Christmas, we said we were no... more

DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: My grandson is currently going through the preliminary phases of becoming a woman. I admit I was surprised when he told me he was in line for the surgery, but I always knew, f... more

DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: Fifteen years ago, my husband officially left his first wife because he and I were in love. I never thought of myself as a “homewrecker”, especially since at the time, my husb... more

DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: My boyfriend spent some time in the Marines, and I don’t know if that’s why he is the way he is when it comes to taking care of his home or not. I have been to his mother’s ho... more

DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: Our 11-year-old grandson was a “surprise” to his parents. As such, he is nearly 18 years younger than his next oldest sibling, and, as far as we can tell, nearly a whole diffe... more

DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: I broke up with my ex in July and recently got on Hinge because all my friends told me to give it a shot.... more

DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: I’m an adult child living at home with my parents. I am 27-years-old and live at home to help pay off student loans while saving to buy a home. I work two fulltime jobs in hea... more

DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: Although my mother keeps telling me how blessed we are to have so far stayed safe from COVID, I do not feel particularly blessed. My hours at work are still cut, two of my sup... more

DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: My husband and I run an on-line business that personalizes glassware. This is, as you can guess, our busiest time of the year.... more

DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: My two sons were raised in the same church I grew up attending. We didn’t make it to service every week when the boys were growing up, but we have always been active, includin... more

DEAR READERS: I know 2020 has been rough for many. I keep hearing how people feel this is the worst year they’ve ever known, and for the younger generations, this may very well be true.... more

DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: My brother borrowed my car a few months ago so he could get to work while his car was in the shop. When he came out from work at the end of the day, he saw that someone had ba... more

DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: My wife is a competent cook when she follows a recipe. However, she thinks she has a real flair for cooking and will go off script to “improve” a dish. The trouble is her impr... more

DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: I work at a long-term care facility in a state that currently allows window and outdoor visits only. My center stated weeks ago that there will be no big Thanksgiving dinner w... more

DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: My dad has been a cop since before I was born. He even met my mom while responding to a robbery. He is well-liked and respected on the force and in the community where he serv... more

DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: My mother used to get really frustrated by the way her mom kept all her business to herself. When Gran died, it was a mess to get things straightened out, and Mom ended up hav... more

DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: Like most of the rest of my family, I have what are called perennial allergies, meaning at any time of the year and in a whole lot of different settings, I can start to sneeze... more

DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: My friends are always telling me some guy, or another is flirting with me, but I truly think they’re just being friendly. I think I’m decent-looking, but certainly not a guy m... more

DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: My father wasn’t an easy man to get along with — at least if you were related to him. He had a bad temper and a short fuse, and almost no filters at all. Yet when he died, all... more

DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: I have a history of nervous laughter that goes back to when I was at least in high school, if not earlier. My mom doesn’t remember exactly when it started, but she had me chec... more

DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: My husband and I adopted our first dog together, and ever since, our parents have battled about who will take care of her when both my husband and I have to be away overnight ... more

DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: My sister-in-law and I couldn’t have more different tastes. She goes for everything very traditional, and I have more modern tastes.... more

DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: My roommate has been seeing this girl who used to be in a band and who knows the words to about a gazillion songs, all of which she sings either out loud or under her breath w... more

DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: My son announced he was invited to a Halloween party, which he fully intends to attend. I told him he is nuts for taking such a big chance, especially since I know the guy thr... more