Category: Asking Eric

Dear Eric: This is my first “serious adult” relationship (I am 25; he is 34), so I don’t always know how to gauge what is normal, but my gut tells me that this is a bit strange.

Dear Eric: I know he appreciates it, but I feel a bit cheap after hearing him say that.

Dear Eric: In spite of my best intentions, I have unfortunately been a poor gift receiver as of late.

Dear Eric: My daughter is having her fourth child. She wants to name him after her brother who died of suicide three years ago. I’m not sure I’m ready for that but everyone says let her commemorate her brother.

Dear Eric: Twelve years ago, I was a foster parent for a 12-year-old. “Angel” was reunified with her father after a year and when that blew up, she came back to live with me. Angel has demonstrated that she is either unwilling or not capable of working toward a healthier connection. Am I OK with being one more adult who lets her down (in her eyes, anyway) and walks away?

Dear Eric: Ordinarily, my friend is loving and affectionate to her middle-aged cat. She takes good care of him, with food, water, and attention. Today, she told me her cat has a condition that requires medical care, but she feels the vet just wants her money.

Dear Eric: My sister was engaged to a guy, “Peter.” I’ve known Peter for a long time. Not long before the wedding, she broke the engagement because she met someone else, “Rick.” My sister and Rick are moving back to the area. It’s a small enough place that it’s only a matter of time before they cross paths.

Dear Eric: My father-in-law is in a relationship with a person that makes staying at his home during a visit an awful experience for me, my husband and our kids. My husband is not one to confront and is simply too kind and shy to stand up to this woman who has taken over hosting.

Dear Eric: Our 11-year-old nephew (on my husband’s side) is like Dudley from the “Harry Potter” series. He’s spoiled, entitled, rude and disrespectful to young and old family members. Family gatherings have become very stressful and tense due to his behavior.

Dear Eric: I’m attending my estranged son’s wedding. As the mother of the groom, I’m unsure of what my responsibilities are.