Category: Asking Eric

Dear Eric: Over the two days at my cottage, her drinking was to the point where she was unable to carry on a conversation and I had to help her to walk.

Dear Eric: I have no issue doing the dishes I dirtied, however why am I doing everyone’s? I’m feeling extremely tired and disrespected.

Dear Readers: Letter writer “Single By Choice” asked for advice relating to his choice to swear off dating after an erectile dysfunction diagnosis. Many responses poured in. What struck me about every single one of the responses was how empathetic and solution-focused they were. I’m sharing five of the replies in hopes that they inspire a new way of thinking for the letter writer and for anyone else in this position.

Dear Eric: Mid-pandemic, my family and I moved to my husband’s hometown, hundreds of miles from our old city. It was a very difficult transition for me. I am a stay-at-home mom and the opportunities to meet people were very limited because of the pandemic.

Dear Eric: We hardly ever see my son, daughter-in-law and 8-year-old grandson. Their time is very skewed toward my daughter-in-law’s family. We get along very well with my daughter-in-law’s parents, and we consider ourselves friends. We have never had words or any hint of a problem with my son and daughter-in-law.

Dear Eric: My aunt on my mother’s side, told me that there was something she needed to tell me, but that I’d have to wait until my mother passed. My mother was sick at the time, so I let it go.

Dear Eric: My sister’s only son (and my only nephew) is incarcerated in another state and will remain so for many more years for sex crimes against a child.

Dear Eric: When the pandemic started, I began playing online poker with friends I grew up with. We all live in different cities and used to see each other once a year in person but now we play cards and talk once a week.

Dear Eric: I’ve avoided saying anything or hinting at anything because he’s an adult (and I know I’m very sensitive to smells in general). But this is driving me away from him. How do I politely bring this up?

Dear Eric: My adult son was a stellar athlete and scholar in our small Midwest high school. But as the years went on, he ended up suffering from chronic pain due to a back injury, which thwarted a career path after college. A year ago, he was diagnosed with long Covid, which he and his partner still have. He recently also received a mental diagnosis and continues to have challenges.