DEAR HARRIETTE: I take a weekly public speaking class where we are encouraged to share our work in front of the class. There is one problem: I am terribly shy, and I do not know if I can talk in front of the class. Can you give me some pointers on how to overcome my shyness? -- At a Loss for Words, Brooklyn, N.Y.

DEAR AT A LOSS FOR WORDS: Congratulations on taking a class that will help you face one of your fears. That took a lot of courage.

One thing that will be important for you to remember is that you are taking a class. Your teacher and classmates do not expect you to already be a great public speaker. You are there to learn. Chances are, your classmates are a little skittish, too. Rather than succumbing to your fear, think about the class members as support for one another. Your attitude will help you to have more confidence.

Practice speaking at home in front of a mirror. Stand up straight and tall, with your feet hip-distance apart. Relax your shoulders. Take a deep breath. Look in the mirror and smile. Recite your speech, looking down at your paper momentarily and then looking up and out.

Move from the mirror to your living room. If you live with someone, ask him or her to be your audience. (You also can pretend that people are sitting in empty chairs.) Practice speaking to a room full of "people" and making eye contact as you speak. This will make it easier when you present speeches to your class.

DEAR HARRIETTE: My cellphone apparently pocket-dialed my wife's phone, and my wife heard a conversation I had with a co-worker. I needed to vent to someone who would listen, because I have not had the best relationship with my wife in the past few months.

After my workday, I went home to an angry wife. She was disappointed with me because I told a friend about our problems instead of talking to her first. How can I prevent this from happening again? -- Talk Too Much, Manhattan, N.Y.

DEAR TALK TOO MUCH: Start by apologizing sincerely for upsetting your wife. Explain that it was not your intention to do so, and that you needed to talk out your feelings with someone before talking to her. This is probably something she understands, even if it made her angry. Most people need a friend who is willing to listen when they are upset about something.

To prevent this in the future, start talking to your wife about your issues. Ask if she would be willing to have an honest conversation about the state of your relationship. Explain your concerns in as calm a manner as you can muster. Ask her what she is thinking and feeling.

If you two are able to talk without arguing, keep it going and do your best to address the challenges in your marriage. If you are unable to speak to each other civilly, you may want to seek out a professional to help you. A marriage counselor may be able to guide your conversation and give you tools for more productive communication, especially during difficult times.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I recently turned 39. I really want to get married, and I'm looking to start dating again. I have some reservations because I have two young girls, and I think it may turn off some men if I talk about my girls on the first date.

When do you think it would be a good idea to introduce my girls to Mr. Right? -- Planning to Say I Do, Memphis, Tenn.

DEAR PLANNING TO SAY I DO: You are way ahead of yourself. It is good to think ahead, but it is also important to have perspective.

You said you want to start dating again. That means Mr. Right is likely a long way off. Take things one step at a time. Date people whose values you share and who like children.

I think you should tell a first date that you are a single mom, because it's a huge part of who you are. Casual dates should remain just that -- out of the purview of your children. When you feel serious about someone you like and definitely think he is interesting and devoted enough to be a consistent friend, you can introduce him to your girls. Start off introducing him to them as your friend. If you can establish that you respect this person because he is a dear friend, they will have the space to look upon him kindly without wondering or worrying about whether he is going to take away their mother.

Organize "play dates" so they can see if they enjoy one another's company. In the end, if you decide you want to be in a relationship with this man, you will want the whole family to be compatible.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I got into a heated debate with the parent of one of my son's friends, and now I feel uncomfortable when I see this guy. We were talking politics, always a touchy subject, and we do not share the same views. Each of us expressed our opinions strongly, and we left in a huff. Now I see this guy at my son's school, and I'm not sure what to say. Can you help? -- Fiery, Bronx, N.Y.

DEAR FIERY: Why not let the past stay in the past? When you see this parent, say hello. Shake hands or do whatever you used to do when you saw each other. It is perfectly normal for two people to have differing political views. There's nothing wrong with that.

If you think you were disrespectful to this man, you could apologize for the conversation getting so heated. If, however, you just think views were expressed amid tension that could be expected given the subject matter, let it go.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I'm an independent recording artist, and I need to hire a publicist to help get word out about my project. I was informed that it would cost $500 to $1,000 a month to hire a good publicist. I realize that I am not able to afford a publicist at this time. Can you suggest some cost-effective ways to get my music out to the masses? -- A Dollar and a Dream, Chicago

DEAR A DOLLAR AND A DREAM: First, I want to tell you that many publicists are much more expensive than the prices you were quoted. So, yes, a publicist is a real expense that you will likely need at some point. Until you can afford one, use social media to promote yourself.

Become a regular content provider on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and other places where you can post images, videos and music samples. Make fliers that can be sent out virtually or printed and handed out physically.

Wherever you go, carry CDs that you can give away for promotional purposes. Sell them whenever you can, but be prepared to also give them away to build the buzz about your brand.

Read books about marketing and promotions to help you develop your strategy. When you do hire a publicist, you will have expertise to bring to the table about how your music appeals to particular audiences.

DEAR HARRIETTE: My teenage daughter talks on her cellphone nonstop, and it's driving me crazy. I purchased an unlimited cellphone plan for my family, which consists of my husband, my daughter and me. I made the mistake of telling her that she has unlimited talking and texting on her cellphone. My daughter has not stopped talking since I informed her of the change. Help me, Harriette. -- Family Business, Newark, N.J.

DEAR FAMILY BUSINESS: I hear a chorus of parents chiming in on this one!

Before cellphones, teenagers talked on landlines all the time. Social activities and relationships dominate the teen years, so what you are describing is not unusual in any way.

That doesn't mean you can't enforce rules on phone use. Some families require that cellphones be put in a basket at the front door when family members come home. That reduces distractions from people outside of your house, and family members theoretically have more time to connect with one another -- although in the age of the Internet, people can definitely communicate without a phone.

Your goal is to carve out time for family interactions that are interesting enough that your teen will want to spend a little time with you. It's easier said than done, I know. But if you plan activities that you think your daughter will consider fun, you stand a chance of getting her to pause the cellphone usage at least a bit.