Plastic Surgery: Are you off your head?

Dear Duana,My measurements are 36-24-35…It’s not uncommon for male strangers to pay for the dinner I’m eating out with a friend, and I haven’t paid bus fare or opened a door in years. But my nose resembles a clown’s—round, like a rubber ball, and too large for my face….I know there is controversy about plastic surgery, but I don’t care about public debates. I just want an answer: Do you think the right nose job would help me attract Mr. Right? Grace

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The Difference Between Punishment & Reward (Q&A from How To Train Your Mother-In-Law—or anyone else)

Wise Readers, So how is ignoring not punishment? Why does ignoring bad behavior work so well? If it’s true we’re training each other all the time, why are others continuing to annoy us? And what if you want your children to learn how to set boundaries this way—with adults? Read on!

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How To Train Your Mother-In-Law (and everyone else)

Dear Duana, I feel like I can’t breathe. I thought after I married her son and had a baby, my mother-in-law Cheryl and I would have more in common and could share things. It has only gotten worse. Nothing I say seems to work. I fear we’ll end up hating each other, and our dynamic is driving my stress through her roof. Help! Dear Angela, first, ask yourself what your mom-in-law has in common with rats and pigeons. And then, what the rest of us do. Because your answer is there…

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Stepmonsters: Setting boundaries and understanding motivations in a stepfamily (Stepmarriage Q&A)

Wise Readers, What if it’s the biodad who’s giving his kids an easier time? How can you save your marriage even if he won’t get on the same Team? Bioparents and biokids need alone-time—but why might stepdad/stepkid alone-time be dangerous? What if you know you don’t like the kid—should you get married anyway? Is there an evolved psychology behind Evil Stepmothering? How long does it take to make Steps feel like Family? And how many baggages can you carry? Read on!

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Stepmarriages: Keeping love alive when they’re somebody else’s kids

Dear Duana, I love my wife, but we argue about how to discipline her kids; she often sides with them in front of me, and they’ve learned I have no traction. I feel like I’m last in Anna’s affections and priorities. I don’t want to give up—but I won’t live with brats who’ve got their mom’s backing. Dear Scott, Just two years into a stepmarriage, most men are no longer supervising, disciplining or interacting much at all with the stepkids. And the divorce rate is literally 50% higher for remarriages with kids. Don’t give up; step up. Here’s how to save your marriage—and what to avoid.

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