Carolyn Hax
Columnist | Relationships
E-mail: tellme@washpost.com
Carolyn Hax is a 40-something repatriated New Englander with a liberal arts degree and a lot of opinions and that's about it, really, when you get right down to it. Oh, and the shoes. A lot of shoes. Her column, "Tell Me About It," appears Sunday, Wednesday and Friday.
Recent content from Carolyn Hax
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Woman told a tall tale about his height
Dear Carolyn: I recently started dating somebody new who is considerably taller than I (I'm a guy). It's not news to me that I'm short, and even before we met I'd advised her that it wasn't an issue for me if she was taller, and I hoped it wasn't an issue for her.
Nov 10, 2009 -
Carolyn Hax: Time to leave lying married man? Yes
Dear Carolyn: I'm involved with a married man, which (1) I didn't know until after we became involved, and (2) breaks one of my core values -- so even though I love his company (we're no longer physically involved), I hate that I'm in the middle of someone else's marriage.
Nov 8, 2009 -
Carolyn Hax: Try seeing rude sister-in-law from new angle
Dear Carolyn: I do not get along with my sister-in-law. She is nosy, rude and catty, and it is very difficult for me to be around her for more than a few minutes. However, it is important to my husband and me that we spend time with his brother and our nieces and nephews, and so we continue to be friendly and take whatever she dishes out (asking how much things cost, opening drawers in our home, eating our food without asking, asking personal questions about our relationship, gossiping about other family members, talking nonstop about herself, etc.).
Nov 3, 2009 -
Simple truths relieve kids' fears of death
Dear Carolyn: My husband and I had a discussion on mourning practices, in particular my mourning my sister, who has been dead for 12 years. He said that when we have children, he wouldn't want me taking them to her gravesite because he does not believe children should be exposed to mourning or a depressing situation. I think it's important for children to understand death at an early age. And I think it's OK for them to accompany me to the cemetery.
Oct 29, 2009 -
Roommate's 'live-in' beau is not welcome
Dear Carolyn: What is a nice way to tell a roommate that her on-again boyfriend can't live at our apartment? When she moved in, she said they had broken up, but now he's been over 99 percent of the nights she's lived with us. I definitely did not sign up for a nonpaying fourth roommate either way, but he isn't even friendly. I am absolutely awful at bringing up uncomfortable things like this and would like not to sound rude or alienate her, if possible. Is there a nice way to do something like this?
Oct 27, 2009 -
Carolyn Hax: Keep divorce civil, and son will survive
Dear Carolyn: My husband and I are on the brink of divorcing. We have a 4-year-old, and I'm sick with the thought of messing up his life with something he didn't ask for. Is there any hope for him to grow up into a well-adjusted adult with none of the "issues" from a divorce?
Oct 25, 2009 -
Carolyn Hax: Honesty needs to be an expectation
Dear Carolyn: Caught my boyfriend in a small lie (he said an office event was employees-only; I later found out spouses and significant others were welcome).
Oct 22, 2009 -
Carolyn Hax: Clashing couple must stop the blame game
Dear Carolyn: My wife and I are having a problem with our communication: We disagree about what was said, or agreed to, from earlier conversations. There are definitely times when I am so convinced my wife has gotten her facts wrong, we end up getting into arguments (read: name-calling).
Oct 20, 2009 -
Facebook etiquette a challenge for exes
Dear Carolyn: An ex-boyfriend recently sent me a Facebook friend request, which I accepted. I am married with children and so is he. We live several states apart.
Oct 18, 2009 -
Let 12-year-old son pick activity or sport
Dear Carolyn: I am making my 12-year-old son run cross country this year. This after he tried football, baseball, soccer, etc., and did not finish the season. He is bright and does well in school, but if I didn't make him participate in sports, he probably wouldn't. He isn't very motivated for outside activity when he is at home. I am worried he will sit and watch TV and play video games if I don't intercede. My husband would love it if he took part in sports, but he won't force him to. Do I need to let it go?
Oct 13, 2009
