Dear Bill and Casper,
My boyfriend and I started dating our freshman year at college. We just graduated this past spring, and although we have been going strong for four years, there’s a slight issue – I live in New Hampshire and he lives in North Carolina.
Things were great when we were together all the time, but I can’t help but feel a strain now that we’re apart. He doesn’t plan on leaving North Carolina anytime soon. I don’t mind moving down someday, but I still have another two years of school left (I’m going for my master’s degree). What tips do you have to make our love last in the mean time?
Dear Challenged,
We think that the key here is compromise. We sense that he does not even want to consider living in New Hampshire. We don’t think you should give in to this one’s ideas. If this romance is going to be a lasting one, you must follow your dream and stay here for your master’s degree. If you don’t – and move to North Carolina – he will always call the shots. You seem to have all your ducks in a row. Remember: once a New Englander and a Yankee you will always be that in North Carolina. Do you want bourbon mint juleps or tequila margaritas? Have more fun and romance with the margaritas!
Dear Bill and Casper,
I recently became a stepmom to three adorable children when I married my longtime boyfriend. They’re at difficult ages – 4, 5, and 10 – and still see their mother on a regular basis. Occasionally, the 10-year-old says hurtful things when I remind him to do his chores, like “You’re not my mother.” How can I spell out to such young children that it’s not okay to disrespect me?
Dear under appreciated,
This is a job for Mary Poppins. Just think of what she could do for you to lighten your frustration; you all will end up learning how to spell supercalifragilisticexpialidocious and you’ll be happy forever after living in Disneyland. Just imagine the darlings flying in the air with Mary and her umbrella and your telling them that if they don’t behave you will tell Mary to let them all go! Alternatively, you could try to sell them to someone in Siberia. It’s time to stop being a friend and be a mother to them.
