How should I tell my bigoted mother that my daughter has come out?
Dear Annalisa, About 10 months ago my 27-year-old daughter came out as gay. This was a surprise as she had previously only dated men but we have adjusted to…
My 15-year-old son keeps appearing naked in front of me ‘accidentally’
Dear Annalisa, Over the past few months, I have observed changes in my son’s behaviour. He is 15 and his father and I separated when he was nine. He keeps appearing…
I’m childless and gay, and feel left out of our family since my sister had children
Dear Annalisa, I come from an emotionally close nuclear family. As we grew up or aged, our relationships were fed on good food, conversation, the arts, and…
I feel bereft since my daughters moved abroad. How can we be close again?
Dear Annalisa, My husband and I have two daughters who emigrated some years ago to two different countries on the other side of the world. Since…
My working-class dad sent me to private school – now I feel that I’ve failed him
Dear Annalisa, When I was 11, my parents decided to send me to a private school. They couldn’t afford to: my dad was from a working-class background…
My daughter rarely bathes and her room is smelly, but says she doesn’t care
Dear Annalisa, My 15-year-old daughter has zero sense of personal hygiene. She currently has about a dozen used sanitary towels dropped on the floor, with food wrappers and rubbish.…
I’m yearning for a third child to recreate the large, loving family I grew up in
Dear Annalisa, I have a strong attachment to my family – in particular my three siblings. We live in different countries but the bond is strong. I have two children, aged…
I’m finding it hard to accept that I may never have a daughter
Dear Annalisa, I gave birth to my second son several months ago. In my first pregnancy I had no preference and was excited to find out…
My sister-in-law has treated her family terribly. I avoid her but still feel bad about it
Dear Annalisa, My sister-in-law of nearly 15 years isn’t someone I’d seek as a friend but she’s mostly enjoyable to be around. However, a couple of years ago she started…
My brother is trying to defraud our mother’s estate
Dear Annalisa, I have had little contact with either of my siblings, particularly my brother Jon, who is quite controlling and bullied me when I was…
Annalisa Barbieri 
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