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…
My brother’s fear of Covid has stopped him socialising. How can I help him?
Dear Annalisa, I am worried about my brother and wondering if there is any way to help him through his fear of Covid. It’s prevented him going…
What’s the best way to tackle my sister’s violent outbursts?
Dear Annalisa, I’m a woman in my 20s struggling to know how to respond to my younger sister’sviolent outbursts. She is also in her 20s. They happen…
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…
My sister helped me to escape our family – now she’s abandoned me. The Guardian.
Dear Annalisa I am the youngest of a brood of girls and left home at 17. My father was very strict and my mother lived abroad…
My husband’s parents just don’t seem to care about family divisions. The Guardian.
Dear Annalisa My husband comes from a large family. There appears to be a hierarchy that exists within the family, where the older brother and sister,…
We live together, but my sister and I are like strangers. The Guardian.
Dear Annalisa My elder sister and I were extremely close when we were younger (we are very near in age) and, while we bickered as teenagers,…
My parents played favourites and are doing it again with their grandchildren.
Dear Annalisa I am the eldest of four, aged 55, and have a teenager. My parents divorced and lived in countries very far apart 45 years…
My brother is a hypochondriac who believes he is dying but won’t see a doctor. The Guardian.
Dear Annalisa My brother is 52. He has not been to a doctor in 20 years and has some health issues that he won’t address because…
My fiance’s sister is jealous and talks about me behind my back. The Guardian.
Dear Annalisa I met my fiance on a blind date about five years ago – we moved in together after a year of dating, bought a…
Annalisa Barbieri 
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