How do I Handle My Bossy Mother-In-Law?

Question: I am a new mom. I love it but I don’t trust anybody with my newborn, not even family members. Lately my mother-in-law is really going overboard with her advice on what to feed our baby, how long our son should sleep, what kind of medicine to give him and other stuff. This is really creating problems between my husband and me because he always gives in to his mother while I stand firm. I tell my husband that we are the ones who should be making decisions for our son but he still lets his mother control him. …

Why Am I in Love with My Counselor?

Question: As part of my graduate program in psychology, we’re required to do our own counseling. I found a counselor at a psychotherapy clinic. I felt very comfortable with her and thought I was making progress. While we were in session one day, I told her that I was falling in love with her. She got upset, refused to schedule a follow-up appointment and will no longer take my calls. I know you’re not supposed to have romantic feelings for our counselors, so I feel very guilty about what happened. Why do so many patients fall in love with their …

How Do I Deal with a Difficult Dad?

Question: I had a good relationship with my dad when I was growing up but things got bad after my parents divorced. I initially sided with him but he started being nasty. My brother got fed up and left, leaving me alone with him. My dad became really overbearing and constantly pointed out everything I had done wrong with my life. I tried to get along with him but he just got aggressive. I was scared about what would happen to him if I confronted him, so I stopped. Even though all that was years ago, I can’t stop thinking …

Bothered by Partner’s Sexual Past

Question: My girlfriend and I have been together for several years and are ready to move in together. Everything is wonderful except I’m having trouble getting past her sexual history. I know I’m not her first lover and for a long time it didn’t matter. But then I started asking her details about her sexual life. At first it was arousing but now it’s making me anxious and upset that I’m not her only lover. Part of the problem is that I lost my virginity to her. I’ve had a lot of relationships, so my girlfriend thinks I know a …

My Boss Talks Too Much

Question: My problem is that my boss likes to hear the sound of his own voice. When I have to ask him a question, he’ll answer it but then keeps on talking. Sometimes he’ll get off topic and I forget the answer he gave. It’s gotten so bad that many of my coworkers won’t even ask questions because they don’t want to have 30 minutes of their day wasted by his monologue.   Whenever I try ending the conversation, he gets very offended and then talks even longer. If he asks you a question and doesn’t like your answer, he’ll …

I’m Bored in School

Question: I’m in middle school and am bored with my classes. I know a lot of the material already but I’m still forced to do the homework. After school I always ask teachers stuff that nobody has ever heard of. My parents don’t understand me either. They worry that my grades aren’t good enough. I’m not getting top grades but that isn’t because I haven’t mastered the material. I’m too embarrassed to tell them what’s really happening. What should I do? Answer: Being bored in school certainly isn’t very fun, is it? Although there are lots of benefits to our …

Broken Up with By Text

Question: I recently was in a brief but intense romantic relationship with a woman. We were even talking about becoming exclusive when, out of the blue, I received a short text from her saying that she no longer wished to date me. I have experienced rejection before but none left me feeling like I did after this. Is it wrong for me to feel extra upset and belittled at receiving a text? Or is there a point where a text is a perfectly acceptable means of breaking up? Since more people are breaking up over their phones, are there any …

Have I Been Dumped?

Question: I’ve always heard that communication is so important in relationships but now I’m not so sure. I shared every detail of my last relationship with my current boyfriend because I thought he needed to know. Everything was fine and we were even discussing marriage until he told me he wouldn’t marry any woman who wasn’t a virgin before him. Then he started drinking because he’s so upset. I’m very confused by his behavior. I’m not sure if I’ve actually been dumped or if there’s a chance I can save my relationship with him. What can I do? I’m having …

Boyfriend Still Texts Ex-Wife

Question: I’ve been in a romantic relationship for over a year with a divorced dad with two kids. Our relationship is great but the problem is his ex-wife. She’s still angry about their breakup. While he said he wants to put the past behind him and move forward, they still text each several times a day to talk about the kids. Sometimes she even knows about his plans before I do! I understand that co-parents need to discuss plans regarding the children but this seems excessive. How do I talk about boundaries without sounding unreasonable? I’m ready to leave but …

Getting Daughter To Do Chores

Question: My third grader has always been difficult but now it’s even worse. She won’t do anything I ask unless there’s something in it for her. I’ve have talked with her about this a lot. She knows what her daily chores are. There aren’t even that many of them, just the usual stuff like make your bed, do your homework, put away your dishes. I’ve told her that it hurts that she doesn’t respect me. She agrees that she should just do her chores without all the yelling but nothing changes. What can I do? Answer: When it comes right …