LIFE

Dear Carol, 

I think my family doesn’t like me anymore. They give me dirty looks when I mess something up, and they have financial problems.

- Family Troubles

Dear Family Troubles, 

I’m sure your family likes you and loves you, and I’m sorry things are hard right now. If your parents are stressed about money, they may be more short-tempered than usual. It’s not fair, but try not to take their bad moods personally. It may help to be extra kind to them. You could say, “Is everything OK? I know you guys are working really hard and I appreciate it.” Or leave a love note on their pillow. Take it from this advice columnist: Sometimes dumping love on someone’s head is truly the best plan of action.

Carol Weston is the author of 16 books including Speed of Life, Ava and Pip and Girltalk: All the Stuff Your Sister Never Told You. Learn more at carolweston.com and on Instagram @carolwestonnyc.

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by GL | 11/7/2023