I worry my grandson is being harmed by his father’s negative behaviour
Dear Annalisa, I am the grandmother of a six-year-old boy. The mother divorced the father four years ago because of abusive behaviour. Although both parents are British, the…
My abusive parents won’t admit what they’ve done. How can I let go of the pain?
Dear Annalisa, I’m 43 and father to a wonderful daughter, whom I co-parent. I live abroad now but am British-born. My parents were abusive, and this left me…
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…
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…
Do I need to leave my partner for the sake of my fragile son?
Dear Annalisa, I am 62 years old and semi-retired. I’ve worked hard all my life. In my 30s I had a son; it was just the…
I am 16 and identify as an ‘ace lesbian’ – how do I tell my parents?
Dear Annalisa, I am 16, and identify as an ace lesbian (NMLNM, or non-men loving non-men). I have questioned my sexuality since the age of 12 or 13, thinking I was…
My dad, who was often drunk and angry, has messaged me after 20 years. Should I reply?
Dear Annalisa, My dad is in his 70s and has contacted me on Facebook. I have not yet replied. I last spoke to him almost 20 years ago,…
My sibling has stolen our late mother’s will. Is this a crime?
Dear Annalisa, Our mother died this summer. She deposited her will with a solicitor, having appointed one of my two siblings as executor, and shared her estate…
My elderly mum is tearful, angry and lonely. What can I do?
Dear Annalisa, I’m worried about my mum. She’s in her early 80s, has mobility problems and seems depressed. Every phone call with her usually ends with her…
Annalisa Barbieri 
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