My elder son resents his brother’s special needs – how can I help him understand?
Dear Annalisa, I have two wonderful sons aged seven and three. My issue is that my older son does not understand that his brother has additional needs and resents…
Was it so wrong to pass on my brother’s diagnosis without his consent?
Dear Annalisa, My dad died two years ago, exposing a sea of secrets and lies. He’d had a degenerative condition, but was totally in denial –…
I want to be a better parent than my mother was – but I’m failing
Dear Annalisa, There’s nothing like parenting to open your eyes to how you were parented, and I’ve discovered that I have an avoidant attachment style. As a…
I want to have a better relationship with my gran, but her behaviour enrages me
Dear Annalisa, I wish I could have a better relationship with my grandmother. She has beenrecognised as a difficult person, a liar and highly critical for as long…
Why is my mother-in-law still so angry about her ex’s affair?
Dear Annalisa, My husband is one of four, and they all have children of their own. His parents divorced when he was young after his father had a long-standing affair…
Our three-year-old says he loves me more than his dad. What can I do?
Dear Annalisa, For the past six months, our three-year-old son has been showing clear favouritism towards me. My partner finds it really upsetting and was recently devastated…
I left my husband on good terms but now I feel out of control
Dear Annalisa, I left my husband last summer. We have three young children who live with me, but see their dad regularly. Things are cordial and…
My mum has Alzheimer’s. How do I stop her ‘helping’ around the house?
Dear Annalisa, My husband and I and our two children (aged six and two) recently moved into a bigger house so my mum could come and live with…
Someone in my family won’t get the vaccine – should we still spend Christmas with them?
Dear Annalisa, I’m sure I’m not the only one who’s faced this difficulty this year. One of my family members, who’s in his 40s, has consistently…
My teenage son constantly lies to us. How do we get the trust back?
Dear Annalisa, My son is 15 and causing no end of trouble. He is a good kid, pushing against the boundaries and learning to grow up.…
Annalisa Barbieri 
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