Family Issues

They think that the laws are stupid and separate me from them. And sometimes, I think that they’re right! I feel so alone and it makes me question the journey that I am on.

There are many mothers and daughters-in-law who get along wonderfully. Expect to be one of them.

My siblings and I have never been super close, but until now we’ve gotten along fairly well. However, this inheritance has brought out the worst in us, and we have come to the point that we aren’t speaking.

I hate change and especially hate when it happens all at once. I’m feeling scared and resentful and worried about how all this is going to impact our family in so many ways.

I’m married to a man who is extremely easygoing and goes with the flow. I, on the other hand, like to make plans, keep to my schedule and expect other people to do so, too. Our children are half-and-half.

I feel taken for granted, unappreciated and exhausted!

We both work full-time and live modestly, but it’s just not enough. I’m constantly tense, and I feel like I can’t breathe. What can I do?

I have recently begun studying more about my Judaism, and one of the things that I would like to try to do is to eat only kosher food. The problem is that my parents really are opposed to this . . .

This year, for the first time, we are hosting the family Passover Seder. We were very excited to finally be able to have everyone in our home, until we found out that distant cousins, who we find very offensive, plan on coming . . .

I am due to have twins in a little over a month. My mother in law has decided that she will come to stay with us for a month to help me get back on my feet. I am a nervous wreck about her coming...

I have had a difficult relationship with my mother my entire life. While I was never physically abused, I definitely suffered severe emotional abuse. Still today when I am around her I revert to being a hurt child and don't feel I can protect myself. Should I cut off the relationship or somehow pretend to ignore what bothers me?

My in-laws think we should take the kids away over the summer and have offered to pay for it. But we really don't enjoy family vacations with young children. I'd love to use the money to send the kids to camp instead, but my husband is worried that his parents would be insulted if we don't take them up on their offer...

My son recently remarried and his new wife has three children from her previous marriage. Her three children are close in age with my son's three children. In addition to us being a bit overwhelmed and trying to adapt to this new Brady Bunch situation, I am not sure how to really integrate my new grandchildren into our lives...

I have a very strained relationship with my mother and I always have. Perhaps it is that we are so different, or maybe that we are so similar, but we are rarely able to spend time together without us both blowing up. I do love my mother but I have a hard time being around her . . .

I am Jewish but was not really raised with any religious observance. Last year my sister went to Israel for a year abroad in college. The person who has returned is someone I don't even recognize. She calls herself a "baal tshuva"...If she is a religious Jew, will she be able to stay close with me?

I am incredibly close to my father, and he has always been a tremendous pillar of strength for me. However, I can't really say he has aged gracefully; and while he has always loved to protect and give to me, he doesn't really want any help in return...

My grandson is in a play with his kindergarten class and very much wants me to come. I had been planning on making the trip, but just the other day I found out that my aunt, who is turning ninety, is having a birthday party that day...

My father has never in my life told me that he loves me and it is so painful to me. A part of me tells me to just accept that he will never say it and another part wants to tell him how I feel. What should I do?

I love my grandchildren, and for the past few years I have always been around to help with babysitting, but now I feel that I have been signed up as a near constant free-babysitter...

I am a teacher and just received this note from one of my students. “My parents have recently gotten divorced. I'm afraid of my parents remarrying. I'm afraid of having to accept another person into my life, and into my parents' lives..."

I am an only child, and while my parents are very loving, they were always too involved in my life. They micromanaged almost every aspect, and I wound up feeling like I couldn't do anything without them...

My mother in law is constantly criticizing me and my ability to parent. No matter what I do she makes a comment, and often in front of other people...

My sixteen-year-old twin brother is out of control and my mother doesn’t seem to be able to deal with it. We had always been very close, but now all he does is play video games...

My family and friends won’t accept that I want to wear only skirts. How can I help them understand my choice to dress modestly?