Q. My daughter told me her best friend is secretly cutting herself and doesn't eat or eats everything in sight and throws up. Her mom doesn't know any of this. My daughter doesn't want me to say anything because her friend asked her not to tell. I don't know what to do.
Q: I'm 16 and I have a boyfriend whom I love. My best friend doesn't like him. She says he's abusive because in front of everyone he makes jokes about me, teases and doesn't stop even when I cry, but I know he doesn't mean it. He's says he is just kidding. How do I get her to stop saying these things about him?
Q. My wife and I recently divorced. She's angry and criticizes me to our kids. She won't speak to me directly, only by messages through the children. When it's my day to have them, she's late, makes appointments, or gets the kids to make other plans, and asks me if it's OK. If I say no, I'm the bad guy.
Q. My brother's wife is dying. They have two daughters, 6 and 8. No one has told the girls. My brother doesn't talk to them much about anything. The girls are very close to their mother and she is extremely protective of them and won't let anyone tell them that she's terminal. I worry about how not being told is affecting the girls.
Q: I'm so frustrated and embarrassed by my kids. When I take them out they want everything: toys, candy, whatever. If I say no, they nag, whine and cry. I try to be firm, but I usually give in just to shut them up. I know I'm wrong, but they wear me down. Why can't I just say no and stick with it?
Q: My wife and I have accrued enormous debt. Even though creditors are always calling, she sneaks purchases into the house, which makes things worse and adds to clutter. The stress is affecting our relationship. Why can't she see what she's doing to us?
Q: I'm always so stressed out! I can't stop worrying that I'm not doing a good job at work even though my boss assures me that I am. It takes me so much time to finish projects because they must be perfect and then I doubt myself. I worry about what people think of me, so I try to please everyone. All of that drains me. I tell myself to stop worrying but it doesn't work. What can I do?
Q: My daughter (age 9) has a best friend whose mother is a close friend. The mother recently misconstrued an issue between the girls and humiliated my daughter, who did nothing wrong. My ''friend'' told her daughter to tell her if my kid ever said anything mean so she could ''get back at her.'' Her daughter is outspoken. My daughter is quieter. She asked me not to say anything. What should I do?
Q: Every vacation, I visit my mother for several days and spend the rest with my partner. Mom's always trying to get me to stay longer and attend parties with her friends, which I do NOT enjoy. This year, when I told her no, she got very quiet. She always does this when I disappoint her. Now I feel guilty. Should I?
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