DEAR HARRIETTE: My adult siblings and I went on a trip to Italy last month. It was our first time ever traveling outside the United States, so naturally, I was excited about the experience. I thought it was going to be a fun and memorable trip, especially since we all usually get along pretty well. However, I quickly realized that things weren’t going to go as smoothly as I’d hoped.

This was the first time in over 10 years that we’ve spent an extended amount of time together. While we’ve always enjoyed each other’s company during shorter visits or family gatherings, being together for an entire trip brought up a lot of tension. My two older sisters, in particular, were at each other’s throats for most of the vacation. The constant bickering made it hard to enjoy the sights and experiences we were supposed to be sharing. I found myself caught in the middle, trying to mediate and keep the peace, but it was exhausting. I spent more time trying to calm everyone down than I did enjoying the trip. I had hoped this vacation would bring us closer together, but instead, it left me feeling drained and disappointed. Now that we’re back, my siblings want to plan another vacation so we can spend more time together. I love my siblings, but I’m hesitant about planning another big trip together. How can I address the issues that came up without causing more conflict? -- Family Conflict

DEAR FAMILY CONFLICT: You have to discuss this directly with your family. Share your frustrations that stemmed from the constant bickering and tension. Express your reservations about taking another trip together, given how emotionally exhausting it was for you. Ask them to share their experience of the trip and their honest thoughts about doing it again. Invite them to consider how they might behave differently to ensure that there is peace during the trip. Listen. You will learn if it’s worth doing again.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I feel like I’m constantly giving to others but never have time for myself. I am a single mom. I have a full-time job and help care for my mom. How can I set boundaries and start prioritizing self-care without feeling guilty? -- Juggling

DEAR JUGGLING: As hard as it may seem in the beginning, you need to start putting yourself first. That may mean waking up an hour early to meditate, take a bath, drink tea, do some stretching or otherwise tend to yourself before your household wakes up. Train your family to give you quiet time in the morning and evening -- even if it’s only for a few minutes.

Ask for help. Know that you do not have to do everything alone, even as a single mom. Build a network with others who have similar needs. Arrange to babysit each other’s children and support however it’s needed. Pool your resources when necessary and schedule breaks so that everyone has a chance to decompress.

(Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)

DEAR HARRIETTE: I’m having an issue with my neighbors and their new puppy. They recently got a dog, and while she’s adorable, they don’t seem to be doing a great job training her. The puppy keeps using my yard as her personal bathroom, and my neighbors never bother to pick up after her. At first, I tried to ignore it because I figured they were just getting used to having a new pet. However, it’s been weeks now, and the problem isn’t getting any better. I’ve noticed that there are more and more spots in my yard where she’s done her business, and it’s becoming a real nuisance. Not only does it look bad, but it’s also unhygienic, especially since I have kids who like to play outside.

I don’t know how to bring it up without sounding confrontational. I don’t want to create bad blood between us because we live so close, and I like my neighbors. At the same time, I don’t think it’s fair for me to have to deal with their dog’s messes. How can I tell them about this in a way that’s polite but firm? -- Dog Poop

DEAR DOG POOP: You have to set boundaries. Go to your neighbors’ house. Ask them to meet you in the yard. Show them their dog’s droppings. Tell them you need them to clean up after the dog immediately for your family’s health. Simple and direct.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I recently discovered that my new boyfriend snores, and I’m at a complete loss about what to do. We’ve been seeing each other for about a month, and everything was going great -- until last night, when we had our first sleepover. It turns out he snores loudly, and I absolutely cannot stand snoring. It’s not just a mild annoyance for me; it’s something that completely disrupts my ability to sleep. I’ve always been a light sleeper, and I know from experience that if I don’t get a full night’s rest, my entire day is ruined. Last night, I barely got an hour of sleep, and today I feel like a zombie.

I tried using earplugs, but they didn’t block out the noise entirely. I even considered sleeping in another room, but since we’re still in the early stages of dating, that felt awkward and a little too soon to bring up. Now, I’m starting to worry about what this means for our relationship. I really like him, and I can see potential for something serious between us, but I don’t know if I can handle his snoring long-term. I don’t want to overreact, but I also don’t want to sacrifice my own health and well-being for the sake of a relationship. Is it too early to bring up his snoring? How do I mention it without making him feel self-conscious or creating awkwardness between us? -- He Snores

DEAR HE SNORES: You are going to have to tell your boyfriend about his snoring and how it affects you. If you really can’t sleep with him in the room snoring, you will have to figure out alternative sleeping arrangements. Yes, that may be awkward at first, but it is necessary. You may also want to recommend that he ask his doctor about his snoring. He could have sleep apnea. If he drank a lot of alcohol before going to sleep, that could have impacted his breathing. Talk to him about it. Tell him you are sorry that snoring has this effect on you, but you needed to bring it up to him.

(Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)

DEAR HARRIETTE: My daughter dropped out during her freshman year of college. She struggled academically her first semester, and she has decided not to go back. I’m terrified for her future because I’ve always believed that in order to have a stable and successful career, a college degree is essential. I know that not everyone takes a traditional path, but without any sort of plan or direction, I worry she’s setting herself up for failure or hardship.

She’s completely unmotivated. She spends most of her time at home, scrolling on her phone or hanging out with friends. When I try to talk to her about what she wants to do next, she shuts me out or says she doesn’t know. I’ve encouraged her to look into community college, even just to get her general education credits done while she figures out what she wants to do, but she seems uninterested. I feel like I’m walking a fine line between supporting her and pushing her too hard, but I can’t sit by and do nothing. How can I help her find some direction and get back on her feet without making her feel like I’m being overbearing? -- What’s Next?

DEAR WHAT’S NEXT: Your daughter has to figure out her life for herself. You can help her see her options, including the reality check of how much it costs to be independent and what most jobs pay. Give her a timeline for getting a job and contributing to household expenses. This should be a wake-up call so that she doesn’t continue hiding out. Encourage her to research work and career options and her earning potential. It will take time, but she will have to do the work herself. You have to be patient now -- and be clear about what you will and will not do for her in terms of paying her way.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I recently started dating a guy who is really nice but old-school. He told me that where he comes from (West Africa), men do not cook, and the expectation is that men work, bring home the money, give their wives sex and the women do everything else. I am American, and I grew up believing that husbands and wives share in all of the duties of the home and life. This came up because I was telling him that I thought he should learn how to cook and, moreover, that cooking with your partner can be fun. He immediately shot that down, saying that in his culture, that is unheard of.

I like this guy, but I’m worried that he is so rooted in his traditions that he has no space for mine. He even said if we end up together, he assumes that I will do what is traditional in his culture. Do I walk away now, or attempt to negotiate with him about how we might live together if things work out? -- Traditions Clash

DEAR TRADITIONS CLASH: This man has told you who he is and what he values. You have told him the same. Now it’s time for frank conversations about whether you two think there is a chance. Ask him directly about his willingness to be more open to some of your cultural beliefs. Talk openly about values and traditions. Find out everything you can about his expectations of a wife, and decide if you can live with that. You must realize that if he is anchored in his culture with his family, there may not be space for yours.

(Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)