My father threw out my box of memories, then took his own life. How do I move on?
Dear Annalisa, Not long before the Covid pandemic, my dad threw out my cardboard box of mementoes that I had stored in his garage for “safekeeping”: years’ worth…
I just found out who my real father is. What do I do now?
Dear Annalisa, I’m happily married with adult children, and grandchildren. One of my children bought me a DNA testing kit and when I received the results I…
My dad is getting old. Should I make an effort to improve our relationship?
Dear Annalisa, Throughout my life, my relationship with my father has been, at best, diplomatic. I am a 37-year-old gay man who has done well for himself: I live…
My husband’s been shut out of our friendship group. I don’t know why
Dear Annalisa, My husband and I have been married for five years. I have a close group of female friends and previously we have got along with them and…
I’m worried my mum is rushing into marriage with her new boyfriend
Dear Annalisa, My mum recently broke up with her boyfriend of 11 years, a man I view as my father. Two months later, she rekindled her relationship with…
My mother’s grief is making our relationship toxic
Dear Annalisa, I am a woman in my late 30s, married with two small children with a rewarding and demanding career. I live some hours’ drive away from…
I secretly contacted my father – now my mother refuses to speak to me
Dear Annalisa, I am 36 years old. I hadn’t seen my father since I was five, but at the age of 25, after a particularly difficult crisis and lack…
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…
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 –…
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,…
Annalisa Barbieri 
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